OREANDA-NEWS.  The plans for building and operating the two terminals in Hamburg and Bremerhaven, the future hubs of the German coastal LNG supply, have come to maturity. Currently, Bomin Linde LNG is finalising preparations to enable manufacturing of the key parts and prompt construction of the LNG facilities. The terminals will be installed on a modular basis and will have sufficient flexibility to quickly meet a rise in demand.

Starting from the strategic hubs Hamburg and Bremerhaven, neighbouring ports such as Kiel, Lьbeck, Rostock or Wilhelmshaven can be reliably supplied with LNG. "We are fully on track with the projects and will be able to provide ships in all German ports along the North and Baltic Sea with LNG as a clean fuel," said Bomin Linde LNG Managing Director Ruben Benders. "This is an important step to establishing LNG as a marine fuel," added Mahinde Abeynaike, also Managing Director of Bomin Linde LNG. "The shipping industry needs secured supply of LNG at ports. This is crucial for the success of this economically attractive and green fuel."

"An LNG terminal in Hamburg is key for the long term sustainability of the port – both from an economic and ecological point of view. As a part of our strategic reorientation 'smartPORT Energy', it will support the reduction of air pollutants and carbon dioxide emissions," said Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA).

"The LNG bunkering terminal in Bremerhaven consequently creates the necessary infrastructure for the protection of the maritime environment in line with the 'greenports' strategy and the fulfilment of the SECA (sulphur emission control areas) requirements," said bremenports' Managing Director Robert Howe.

Bomin Linde LNG is also able to provide liquefied natural gas for the marine industry beyond Germany's borders. For example, at the terminal in Nynдshamn next to Stockholm, Sweden, built by the Linde Group. Additionally, Bomin Linde LNG envisages supplying LNG at a new bunkering terminal in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, where the approval request has already been submitted to the authorities. Moreover, Bomin Linde LNG is considering several bunkering facilities at additional international ports to further expand the development of the LNG infrastructure.

Starting in 2015, sulphur emission limits for ships operating in North and Baltic Sea will be reduced drastically. LNG as a transport fuel will significantly reduce emissions of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particular matter and CO2. In view of declining natural gas prices compared to oil over the last few years, LNG has become an economically viable fuel alternative. Based on a recent survey of HSH Nordbank, approximately one in five ship owners is planning to either retrofit his fleet with LNG propulsion or order new vessels that run on LNG.