Ships and inland waterways to step on LNG

Posted

November 9, 2011

Member of European Parliament (MEP) Peter van Dalen (from the Christian Union in the Ducth Cabinet) wanted the maritime transport sector to investigate how they can switch to LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) to power their sea and inland waterways.

The above-mentioned was announced by the MEP in the European Parliament during a meeting on “Alternative fuels for maritime sector ‘.

Van Dalen said, “The maritime industry must improve its environmental performance. Present fuels to power sea and inland waterways can be much cleaner. The inland waterways sector has been conducting a lot of research about the use of LNG as fuel. The results are very positive.

The barges must therefore make the transition go to LNG.
This segment should follow the example form ships, there are already 22 vessels sails on LNG in Europe and there are another twenty under construction. ”

Research has shown that replacing diesel fuel with LNG for inland waterways leads to 25% less CO2 and 90% less nitrogen, particulate matter and dust. The new tanker Argonon of Deen Shipping is the first barge in Europe that use dual fuel technology and sailing on a mixture of 80% LNG and 20% diesel fuel.

Cleaner European transport
Van Dalen is impressed by the research: “The use of LNG is really a step toward cleaner European transport. Therefore, Europe and the States promote the use of LNG in the maritime transport sector. First and foremost LNG legally be allowed as a maritime fuel. At present, ships may not sail on LNG unless the industry gets an exemption from the Transport & Works. Moreover, EU member states should offer favourable financial policies to stimulate investment in the LNG fro maritime transport, “says Van Dalen.

Minister of Infrastructure and Environment Schultz van Haegen promised in January that they will stimulate use LNG as fuel in the inland waterways in the course of this year, by investing in the construction of a number of LNG filling stations.

There is a strong likelihood that the inland navigation at the Maasvlakte LNG can start refuelling and maybe even facilitated by direct bunkering. Gasunie and Vopak – the partners of the GATE terminal that was opened by Queen Beatrix on September 23, 2011- are very serious about a providing separate LNG refuelling facility for short sea, inland waterways and even on-road HDVs.

Van Dalen also calls for bunker stations segment to invest in LNG tanks. “LNG can never be the fuel of the maritime sector if there is not enough bunker locations. Inland Entrepreneurs and fuel suppliers must therefore join hands to jointly invest in LNG. Vessels should be made suitable for LNG while LNG tanks must arrive at the bunker stations. ”
Source : Schuttevaer.nl