LNG GOT and Wallenius Marine set sights on reducing shipping emissions.
LNG GOT AB and Wallenius Marine AB have entered a strategic partnership to examine possibilities for using liquid natural gas (LNG) as a shipping fuel in existing and newly built vessels in the Wallenius fleet.
The study is intended to show how LNG can be used as a fuel in a manner that is economically,
environmentally, publicly and commercially appealing.
“It is the long-term goal of LNG GOT to minimise the environmental impact of shipping by making LNG available as a shipping fuel. This agreement marks a significant further step towards this objective. The partnership benefits all parties involved as well as the development of Gothenburg as an energy port,” comments Magnus Witting, CEO of LNG GOT.
The initiative begins immediately, with the aim that the study should be completed in 2011. The project will also examine the consequences of adapting the Wallenius’ fleet to LNG operation, as well as the supply and distribution possibilities for LNG.
“We have been using fuel that is significantly cleaner than required for some time, but it is far from being as clean as we would wish. The use of LNG as a shipping fuel will take us a step closer to our vision of having emission-free vessels. We see LNG as a stepping stone to
running ships on biogas in the future,” says Per Tunell, Head of Environmental Management, Wallenius Marine.
LNG is an attractive fuel for shipping from both technical and environmental viewpoints.
In 2015 stricter emission requirements will come into effect in Emission Control Areas (ECAs), with the effect that sulphur emissions must not exceed expected levels for fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.1 per cent. Apart from the fact that LNG is effectively sulphur-free and therefore complies with the forthcoming emission restrictions, LNG operation will also reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by up to 85–90 per cent, particulates by almost 100 per cent and carbon dioxide by around 20–25 per cent in comparison with running on heavy fuel oil. These major environmental benefits also provide a good margin as stiffer emission controls are introduced.
LNG GOT’s vision is to be the natural choice of fuel supplier in Gothenburg. Choosing our liquid natural gas supports an alternative fuel for shipping that is sustainable in the long-term. LNG GOT’s operations centre on establishing a terminal that will accept deliveries of liquid natural gas and transfer the gas to bunker vessels and the like that will refuel ships. The goal is to supply liquid natural gas to shipping by 2013.
LNG GOT is jointly owned by Gasnor and Göteborg Energi. The commitment to LNG is backed by the Port of Gothenburg. Gasnor, which is establishing a distribution network for LNG across northern Europe, is the largest gas supplier in Norway.
Göteborg Energi has been working with gas since 1846 and is the leading energy supplier in western Sweden. The Port of Gothenburg is a hub for shipping to Scandinavia. Together, these parties have the resources and expertise that are needed to set up a new infrastructure for distributing LNG.
Wallenius Marine is responsible for the manning, operation and technical and environmental development of Wallenius’ car transporter vessels. Wallenius has a long tradition in shipping and combines 75 years of experience with the environmental solutions of the future. A fleet of 150 vessels is currently operated in collaboration with subsidiaries, of which 35 vessels are operated and manned by Wallenius Marine. Wallenius’ ambition is to set a global example in quality, safety, low environmental impact and working conditions onboard its vessels and the RoRo sector of commercial shipping. The company’s long-term vision is that its vessels should be completely emission-free.