The Deputy Chairman of gas supplier OAO Gazprom, Alexander Medvedev and the President of ports operator Summa Group (Summa), Alexander Vinokourov have signed a Memorandum of Understanding recording the parties’ intentions to collaborate on the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as bunker fuel for ships, including those owned and operated by Summa.
Firstly, Gazprom and Summa will study how to develop LNG bunkering infrastructure in the basin of the North Sea and Baltic Sea and supply LNG for the needs of the Summa Group.
Later, the parties will consider the possibility of expanding cooperation in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean and the Pacific, where Summa also operates ships and has developed port infrastructure.
“The introduction of the post-2015 mandatory limits on emissions for ships engaged in transport in the Baltic and North Seas is the most important factor in the transition to an alternative fuel. Only natural gas meets the requirements for limits on emissions from vessel engines without the need for costly purification filters and gains in value compared to the low-sulfur oil. Technology vessels, marine engines and storage facilities for LNG ships are available and tested. Cooperation with the Summa Group is promising,” said Alexander Medvedev.
“With the combined efforts of the Summa as an operator of infrastructure and Gazprom as the largest global producer of natural gas will be made a truly breakthrough project. I am sure it will have a lasting positive impact on the sustainability of maritime transport, not only in our country but also in the world, and will become the new industry standard,” said Alexander Vinokourov.
(This article compiled using information from an OAO Gazprom press release)
