The International Association of Ports and Harbors is seeking
ports and stakeholders to participate in a working group looking at the
emerging trend of liquefied natural gas in the maritime industry.
LNG is expected to be the focus of technical committee and
panel discussions at the IAPH’s 28th World Ports Conference, set for May 6-10
in downtown Los Angeles.
With the global shipping industry showing increased interest
in the use of LNG as a vessel fuel, IAPH members say they’re laying the
groundwork for how ports worldwide can accommodate the emerging trend.
Focusing on the use of LNG as a marine fuel, an “LNG Fuelled
Vessels Working Group” has been established under the auspices of IAPH’s World
Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI). The group is tasked for one to develop
guidelines on safe procedures for LNG bunkering operations providing ports
around the world with an implementation guideline.
The Port of Antwerp is leading this initiative and
representatives from the ports of Amsterdam, Bremerhaven, Brunsbüttel,
Gothenburg, Hamburg, Le Havre, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Rotterdam, Stockholm
and Zeebruges are also active participants in the Working Group.
Participation in the working group is open to all ports and
industry partners and experts have been invited to participate.
It is generally expected that by 2015, a number of
progressive shipping lines will have LNG-powered vessels in their fleet,
presenting a challenge for ports and shipping lines worldwide, according to the
IAPH.
Current use of natural gas within the SECA-zone is expected
to increase by 140 percent by 2020, according to a recent study from the Danish
Maritime Authority, due to the use of LNG as a shipping fuel and usage on land
by trucks and busses.
Those interested in participating can contact WPCI LNG
Working Group chair Tessa Major via e-mail at tessa.major@portofantwerp.com.
