Tuesday, March 12, 2013

LNG the Focus of Working Group


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.