LNG bunkering in Australian ports found feasible

The use of LNG as ship fuel is seen as a way to address future environmental and commercial challenges in the shipping industry. With proper combinations of bunkering solutions such as tank trucks, permanent tanks and barges in the various ports, efficient LNG bunkering can be established, DNV said.
The classification society said that it and its partners in the project – the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), BOC Limited (Linde Group), Farstad Shipping Pty Ltd, Ports Australia, Rolls-Royce Marine AS, Svitzer Australia, Swire Pacific Offshore Operations (Pte) Ltd, Teekay Shipping (Australia) Pty Ltd and Woodside Energy Ltd – were optimistic about the future of LNG as maritime fuel in Australia after having screened the possibilities of establishing LNG bunkering in ten Australian ports.
The project recommends that more technical guidelines and a clearer regulatory framework be established along with financial incentives to kick-start development. When setting up LNG bunkering, the critical business phase is the first two to four years of operation, when LNG suppliers rely on a few brave shipowners willing to be industry forerunners, DNV pointed out. After a number of years of successful operation, a second wave of ships can be expected to enter the market, which will reduce suppliers’ uncertainty and reinforce the business case.
The project focused specifically on the initial phase and created roadmaps for necessary action to establish LNG bunkering in shortlisted ports as rapidly as possible. DNV said that an accelerated approach could open up LNG bunkering in Australia by 2016.