Dutch Rotterdam port sees LNG-fueled future

The Dutch port of Rotterdam is pushing forward to speed up the transition from fuel oil to liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel for the shipping sector. 

LNG as fuel for ocean-going vessels has been constantly growing in the last couple of years boosted by the IMO’s decision to implement a global sulfur cap and as shipowners are looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

The port of Rotterdam is one of the biggest hubs for the distribution of LNG in Europe and a first-mover in the bunkering industry where many developments in the small-scale LNG sector are taking place.

The port is also home of the Dutch first terminal, Gate, where small-scale is a daily business and, as of 2017, Shell’s bunker vessel Cardissa regularly loads LNG and delivers the fuel in northwest Europe.

The Port Authority “wants to encourage the transition from fuel oil to LNG as a transport fuel for the shipping sector,” the port of Rotterdam said in a statement highlighting a higher number of vessels calling at the port during 2017.

According to the statement, over the past year, 29,646 sea-going vessels entered the port of Rotterdam, 600 more than the preceding year.

The port says it has during the past few years worked to prepare systems and staff for the arrival of LNG-powered vessels.

“The relevant legislation and regulations have been improved and updated to enable the smoother bunkering of LNG,” the port said.

“We expect that by 2020, LNG bunkering will be a routine operation in the port of Rotterdam,” said René de Vries, Harbour Master at the Port of Rotterdam.

LNG World News Staff