The Port of Vlissingen, operating under the banner of Zeeland Seaports together with the Port of Terneuzen, has piloted its first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering procedure, delivering fuel to the coastal tanker Sundowner. Last week, the Truck to Ship (TtS) method was successfully launched and will continue as a pilot until the end of 2016. Zeeland Seaports’ objective is to reduce overall emissions.

Zeeland Seaports will determine whether consistent Lng Bunkering will be realised in the port based on the results of the pilot. LNG is a great alternative fuelling solution due to its zero sulphur content and its combustion produces relatively low NOx compared to other fuel oil and marine diesel oil.

The bunkering of LNG in Zeeland will increase the attractiveness of the ports and significantly reduce CO2 and nitrogen emissions. Both these items are listed in Zeeland Seaports’ recently presented Strategic Master Plan. This plan includes the objective to realise facilities or solutions for LNG bunkering and become a major player in the LNG chain by 2020.

In October of 2015, Chemgas approached Zeeland Seaports to examine the potential for LNG bunkering via the Truck to Ship method. This led to the development of a plan titled ‘Pilot LNG bunkering Truck to Ship’, in cooperation with regional safety and environmental associations. The pilot is unique in that it is already running which can be contributed to an efficient collaboration between all parties involved and short lines of communication with stakeholders.

Chemgas already bunkers LNG-powered vessels out of the Port of Antwerp.

Prior to being bunkered, LNG is first liquefied through a cooling process of -162 °C. At this temperature and atmospheric pressure, the gas condenses to a liquid, thus reducing the volume by 600 times (in comparison to gaseous state), and the gas can be more easily transported and stored.

(Source: Zeeland Seaports)