Environmental regulatory pressure is building to cut emissions caused through ship transportation. It is this imposition of stricter sulphur content limits to marine bunker fuel that is driving LNG Bunkering system design as well as the construction of a LNG fueling infrastructure.
The declaration of an Emission Control Area (ECA) of 200 nautical miles around the North America coastline in 2012 is a typical development.
The currently forecasted stable price of LNG and reliable supply of natural gas as a resource are also key factors as to why LNG is more than a feasible alternative to current fuels.
Safe LNG bunkering
The safe refueling of LNG powered ships and even the safe evacuation of LNG fuel from ships in an emergency is of paramount importance for the protection of LNG bunkering as a commercially viable and acceptable sector.
Standards and regulations for LNG bunkering exist and are being developed by organizations such as SIGTTO (Society of International Gas Tankers and Terminal Operators), OCIMF (Oil Companies International Marine Forum), IMO (International Maritime Organization), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), EN (CEN – European Committee for Standardization) and the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association).