The Spanish Port of Ferrol announced its plans to develop LNG facilities in collaboration with gas company Reganosa in order to get ready to accommodate cruise liners that have opted for LNG as fuel. The Port Authority has already informed that on November 9th, 2017 one of the most ecological cruises in the world, the Aida Prima, will call at the Spanish port.
In particular, the Ferrol port plans to establish infrastructure for LNG for a small scale in the terminal that Reganosa operates. The corresponding studies and works are being carried out through the European project LNGas Hive Core, in which also the main Spanish ports participate. Having this offer of services gives Ferrol an advantage over other cities and promotes the uptake of cruise liners that have opted for LNG as fuel, the Port Authority said in a press release.
The Aida Prima is the next step to the Aida Sol, which when docked in Hamburg is powered by low-emission electricity through a hybrid LNG barge, which functions as a floating power plant. The Port Authority said that this cruise has announced a stop in Ferrol for the next 25 of August.
The use of LNG for the operation of the auxiliary engines of the cruisers that supply electric power during their ladders allows to reduce the air pollution in the docks and urban surroundings that surrounds them. The port of Barcelona, for example, is estimated to emit 11% of the city’s total fine particles, and 3% corresponds to cruises.
The president of the Port Authority, José Manuel Vilariño, emphasized that the challenge of Aida Cruises fits in with the policy that the Ferrol port has been developing in recent years: “With the Xunta, Reganosa, Navantia and Universidad de Santiago, we were pioneers in Spain in studying formulas to respond to the change that is looming for the extension of LNG as marine fuel. Now we expect companies in the port community to get involved with their investments and make the most of the advantage we already have in this port with a liquefied natural gas terminal. “
