Progressing its goal to accommodate liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled shipping, Germany’s Port of Hamburg has welcomed the KV Barentshav’, a Norwegian coast guard vessel which has been in operation since 2009, into port. Port Strategy reports the arrival marked the first visit by an LNG-powered ship to the port, which occurred as part of the “LNG – the Norwegian Experience” conference organised by the German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, Innovation Norway and the classification society DNV Germany.
Technology company The Linde Group and the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) agreed in February this year to advance the use of LNG in the port of Hamburg. A memorandum of understanding to that effect was signed with the aim of preparing a comprehensive feasibility study to assess if the use of LNG in the port is economically viable.
“Emissions from burning natural gas are substantially lower than those caused by diesel or heavy-fuel oils. In view of the stricter environmental standards, there is a continuously rising demand for LNG solutions in the transport industry,” said Dr Andreas Opfermann, Head of Clean Energy and Innovation Management at The Linde Group, at the signing of the agreement.
The two organisations want to promote LNG as an alternative fuel for ships and other applications, such as trucks. On the basis of the findings of the study, concrete infrastructure projects such as, for example, the construction of an LNG terminal in the port of Hamburg may be initiated.
In June 2012, Gasnor, a natural gas distribution company, and Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH presented plans to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker station at Brunsbüttel, Germany. DNV has been contracted to conduct the risk studies of the project, which will be the basis for the authorities’ approval of the project. Described by DNV as “leading the way in offering LNG fuel” in this area of northern Germany, the facility is proposed for a location at the crossing of the river Elbe and the Kiel-Canal. The Elbe river takes shipping direct to Hamburg.
The custom designed KV Barentshav, built by Wartsila, includes a hybrid propulsion system based on diesel and liquid natural gas (LNG), enabling a reduction in CO2 emissions of 25%, and NOx emissions of 90%. It also provides a 25% reduction in fuel costs.
