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Alliance agreed to help facilitate and promote the use of LNG as a shipping fuel
The Antwerp Port Authority has announced the appointment of ship owning company EXMAR as its strategic partner for LNG bunkering at the Belgian port.
As part of the agreement, the respective parties will work together in the development of an LNG bunkership, with construction due to start early next year, and the execution of several further required studies to help facilitate and promote the use of LNG as ship fuel, not just in Antwerp but on a global scale.
LNG as a fuel is seen an excellent solution for ship owners to meet the various emission regulations that will come into force from 2015. Compared to traditional ship fuels such as heavy fuel oil and diesel, the use of LNG significantly reduces the emission of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, CO2 and particulate matter, and is therefore considered by many as the ship fuel of the future.
“The Port Authority wishes to not only encourage but also facilitate the use of LNG as ship fuel because of the associated environmental- and sustainable benefits,” said the Port of Antwerp’s CEO, Eddy Bruyninckx.
“The Port Authority therefore wants to ensure that ships calling the port of Antwerp are able to bunker LNG as ship fuel as from 2015.
“By calling on the LNG expertise of EXMAR, LNG shall be offered as a ship fuel in a safe and efficient manner.”
“The Port Authority’s ambition to position itself as a sustainable port is herewith put into action.”
In July, the Antwerp Port Authority’s bid to promote both safe and efficient bunkering of LNG-fuelled ships received a further boost after the European Commission (EC) announced that it will help to subsidise the project. EC funding will be used by Europe’s second largest port to develop and build an LNG bunkering station for Antwerp’s barges.
