Port of Zeebrugge has joined the SEA-LNG coalition for further research in to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) port infrastructure.
The Port of Zeebrugge has pioneered the development of LNG bunkering in Europe, with the world’s first purpose-built LNG bunkering vessel – the Engie Zeebrugge (now Green Zeebrugge) – commencing operations there in June 2017.
Infrastructure for storing and transferring LNG marine fuel has been installed and used at the Port of Zeebrugge since 1987.
The port is one of the main hubs for LNG supply in the region, receiving pipelines from Norway and the UK, and vessel imports from Qatar.
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The port’s LNG terminal, operated by Fluxys, offers regasification and provides distribution in Belgium and across the European network in pipelines, trucks or ships. Onsite storage is equal to 9 billion metres³ of LNG per year.
Peter Keller, Chairman, SEA-LNG, commented: “We’re pleased to welcome the innovative Port of Zeebrugge to our coalition.
“We look forward to working with the port and its users to continue to drive the growth of environmentally-friendly LNG-fuelled shipping in northwest Europe, creating a pathway for long term decarbonisation of the industry”.
Tom Hautekiet, CEO Port of Zeebrugge added: “Sustainability and climate protection are high on the agenda of the port authority of Zeebrugge. This new partnership with SEA-LNG will definitely offer us new opportunities to stimulate the switch to eco-friendly fuels and pursue our ambitions to become a green energy hub internationally.”
In 2021, nearly one-third of orders for vessel newbuilds, by capacity, were powered by LNG.
