Yesterday Shell put two inland shipping tankers into use which run on LNG. The 110-metre long ships are ‘single fuel’: they only use one type of fuel, LNG.
This not just a first for Shell in the Netherlands, but also for the inland shipping industry. From April 11 the two tankers will sail between Rotterdam and Basel. The tankers are the next step towards more sustainable inland shipping. LNG is a significantly cleaner fuel than the traditional fuel oil or diesel.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority strives for a cleaner port and the underlying logistics. Although detailed legislation and regulations concerning LNG are still being developed, the Port Authority already provides a safe location for bunkering the liquefied natural gas at its quay in the Seinehaven. For a good year now it has been possible to bunker at a controlled test bunker station for inland shipping. The Harbour Master’s Division of the Port of Rotterdam Authority is responsible for the supervision. In this way the Port Authority promotes the use of LNG in inland shipping. The two Shell tankers, which will sail between Rotterdam and Basel, are a good first step. Various companies are expected to follow the outstanding example in the coming years.
[mappress] Port of Rotterdam, April 12, 2013