Masterplan for LNG delivers pilot vessels, on-shore infrastructure and comprehensive strategy for Rhine/Meuse-Main-Danube.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is emerging as attractive option for European inland shipping and has the potential to increase environmental performance and efficiency of the sector. With inputs from the LNG Masterplan consortium the regulatory framework further developed, accommodating new rules for LNG as fuel and as cargo: As of January 2015, the amended ADN enables the transport of large quantities of LNG on inland waterways and therefore allows safe investments into LNG tank vessels. With regard to LNG as a fuel, CCNR elaborated an amendment to the Rhine Vessel Inspection Regulation which shall enter into force mid-2016. The update of the respective European Directives is expected to follow soon.
The LNG Masterplan not only provides important inputs to a concise regulatory framework but delivers a high number of innovative concepts and concrete investments in LNG fuelled vessels and on-shore infrastructure. In addition, together with key stakeholders the project will elaborate a comprehensive strategy for the deployment of LNG as fuel and cargo on Europe´s main waterway axis. This strategy encompasses an Action Plan with concrete measures in identified areas, such as market & financing, vessels & equipment, jobs & skills, infrastructure and governance aiming to provide guidance for future policy actions on national and EU level.
Emergency and Incident Response Guidelines for LNG
In April 2015, the Rhine Port Group (Rotterdam, Antwerp, Mannheim, Strasbourg and Switzerland) published an “Emergency and Incident Response Study” as an important project deliverable. The defined scenarios in the report look into LNG vapour cloud, LNG pool, rapid phase transition and LNG on fire and are presented in credible incident response cases, such as vessel collisions or containers hitting a vessel while bunkering.
LNG Masterplan updates
- In June 2014, DCL Barge (Danser Group) fitted its vessel “Eiger” as the first inland waterway container vessel in the world to LNG propulsion.
- In September 2014, Chemgas Barging finished its conventional gas tanker “Sirocco”.
- The third vessel built in the project, the LNG propelled chemical tanker “Ecoliner” of DAMEN Hardinxveldt, will be put in operation in the second half of 2015
- The LNG/MGO inland bunker vessel of Argos Bunkering is another highly innovative vessel that is expected to be delivered within the framework of the project
- The Bulgarian company Bulmarket is building the first LNG terminal in the Danube region, in Ruse, with a capacity of 1.000 m3
- Port of Antwerp elaborated a detailed concept for a LNG bunker station and will launch a tender for its construction and operation in the third quarter of this year
- Other investigated locations for LNG on-shore infrastructure include the Ports of Mannheim and Switzerland on the Rhine as well as Linz (Austria) and Komarno (Slovakia) on the Danube.
Lessons learned from the project
From all alternative fuels, LNG is the most promising for inland shipping. It provides a short term option to reduce air emissions bridging to a widely decarbonised inland shipping sector. With LNG as an important element in a more diversified European energy supply, new cargo potentials for inland shipping will arise.
The LNG Masterplan clearly demonstrates that LNG neither is a self-run nor able to solve all evils in inland shipping. A comprehensive strategy is needed together with favourable framework conditions especially an attractive LNG price. Among many lessons learned are: LNG infrastructure investment in ports requires a multi-client strategy combining LNG demand of all transport modes and especially from industrial users to ensure a viable business case. Public support for LNG infrastructure will stay crucial over the next years.
The next calls in the CEF Program should facilitate combined energy and transport projects offering funding opportunities along the entire LNG value chain. Technical viability of LNG for new-built vessels as well as for retro-fitting is proven. But, the extremely high costs of LNG equipment require innovation and economies of scale involving standardisation.
A dedicated Horizon 2020 project for advancing gas engines, fuelling systems and modular logistics concepts as well as many LNG deployment projects are needed. These and all other lessons learned will be part of the LNG Strategy delivered by the project together with recommendations and guidelines.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is produced by cooling down natural gas to minus 162 °C. As a liquid, it takes up to about 1/600 the space that natural gas does in its gaseous form and is 3.5 times more compact than compressed natural gas (CNG). It is stored in cryogenic containers at or slightly above atmospheric pressure and can be converted back to its gaseous form by simply raising the temperature. LNG is lighter than air, odourless, colourless, non-toxic and non-corrosive. From an environmental point of view, LNG as fuel substantially reduces emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx ) with up to 80 %, of carbon dioxide up to 10–20 %, of sulphur oxide (SOx ) up to 90–95 % and Particulate Matters (PM) to almost zero in comparison to the traditional fossil fuels, like diesel.
The LNG Masterplan for Rhine/Meuse-Main-Danube project (2013–2015) is a unique innovation project setting the course for inland navigation to sail on environmentally friendly LNG and to transport LNG cost-effectively to the industrial hinterland of Europe. Learn more about the project by clicking below.
Source: lngmasterplan.eu
In the start, I was open with you propecia before and after has changed my life. It has become much more fun, and now I have to run. Just as it is improbable to sit.
