On 18.10.2011 Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH and Gasnor AS (LNG market leader in Norway) agreed on bunkering vessels with LNG in the Elbehafen at Brunsbüttel, Germany.
With this important step they are leading the way in offering LNG fuel at Brunsbüttel and the Northern German area, at the crossing of the river Elbe and the Kiel-Canal.
In the context of generally increasing demands in environmentally conscious acting, also in shipping, eco-friendly fuel is a forward-looking issue. The fuel LNG (liquid natural gas) is an environmentally-friendly alternative for do far used ship fuels and already in use in many Countries, such as Norway, for quite some years.
Subject to approval by the authorities, Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH has contractually provided Gasnor with near-pier areas for erecting LNG tanks. To begin with, as of November 2011, bunkering of vessels will be possible via LNG tank truck. According to the development of quantities the erection of a fuel-depot is planned which is expected to grow continuously. This interim solution as well as the planned erection of the LNG fuel depot provides a safe, reliable and cost-effective way for fueling sea vessels and barges with the environmentally friendly fuel LNG.
Frank Schnabel, managing director of Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH is pleased about the cooperation and the new area of business. “ Already today, Brunsbüttel as multi-purpose port offers a variety of services. Functioning as LNG bunker station we again move forward within the demands of “Green Ports” and we will continue our engagement for forward-looking environmental issues such as LNG Bunkering. ”
Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH is owner and operator of three ports at Brunsbüttel (Elbehafen, Oilport and port of Ostermoor). The Elbehafen being multi-purpose port with water draft of 14.40 m and located right at the Elbe provides ideal conditions for an LNG bunker station for shipping from and to Hamburg as well as for all traffic on Kiel-Canal.
Gasnor is a pioneering company within distribution and sale of natural gas in Norway. The company supply customers with natural gas via pipeline network, in the form of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
Gasnor has been both innovative and ground-breaking in the development of safe and cost effective solutions to offer natural gas to shipping and industry in Europe where piped gas is impracticable.
Gasnor was early to recognize the need for a cost-effective logistics solution to expand geographically, and a way to supply fuel for shipping. In 2003 Gasnor therefore opened the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production plant. The Gasnor concept consists of customized plants for storage and regasification of LNG. These local LNG terminals can supply one or several customers, and construction is demand-driven. This solution for small-scale LNG has awakened interest and acknowledgement from other countries where the traditional LNG solutions are not feasible.
Gasnor now owns and operates three production plants for LNG located on the western coast of Norway. From these plants we supply Industry and a growing fleet of LNG-powered ships with a cleaner fuel.
Gasnor also imports LNG with its own ship. These imports supplement the company’s own production to bolster supply-side security and flexibility. Gasnors vision is to become a leading supplier of LNG for transporting purposes in Europe.
[mappress] Source: Gasnor, October 27, 2011