France is set to encourage ports to create the appropriate infrastructure, in order for ships to adopt the use of LNG as a cleaner fuel for shipping, France’s prime minister, Édouard Philippe, stated this week.
During a maritime conference in Havre, Mr. Philippe, stated that France will alter some regulations regarding LNG, in order to facilitate refuelling to take place at ports, as well as some fiscal rules regarding amortising investments in new vessels and engine technology.
Adopting LNG as a fuel is one of the measures that shipping companies take in order to comply with stricter emissions rules starting from 2020.
Namely, in November French based CMA CGM announced its intention to equip its 9 future ships of 22,000 TEUs delivered in 2020, with engines using LNG.
According to Reuters, CMA CGM noted that supply chain will be a key challenge for LNG fuel and announced its discussions with other parties, including ports, on how to adapt LNG infrastructure.
Furthermore, the shipping sector is exploring other methods to reduce shipping emissions, except from LNG, by testing electric models.
Specifically, in summer, Norwegian YARA Birkeland announced the launch of the first commercial autonomous vessel and also commercial zero ballast vessel in the world.
The vessel will transport about 25.000 containers per year, from Yara production plant to export container ports in Brevik and Larvik.
