Swedish gas grid owner and infrastructure company, Swedegas, will invest in LNG infrastructure at the port of Gothenburg to meet the shipping industry’s demand for the chilled fuel.
It is the first LNG facility in Gothenburg, allowing the vessels to bunker LNG at the quayside while loading and unloading, the port said.
The LNG will be brought to the facility using trailers or containers, which will unload at a discharge station. It is expected to be fully operational in 2018.
“This investment marks the starting point for the gradual expansion of the facility, eventually supplying the transport sector and Swedish industry with liquefied gas. Regardless of the sector, it ultimately comes down to making the transition from oil-based products,” said Johan Zettergren , Swedegas chief executive.
The facility, which comprises a discharge station, a cryogenic pipeline and bunkering equipment, allows vessels to bunker LNG at the quayside while loading and unloading, thus making effective use of the time spent in port.
There has been widespread demand in the shipping sector for this type of solution, and the concept has been designed in close consultation with key players on the market, the port said.
The facility is the first stage in the establishment of a more extensive gas infrastructure solution for the Port of Gothenburg that can also be connected to the gas transmission grid.
The European Union has also approved support via the INEA (Innovation and Networks Executive Agency) to ensure the project can be realized. Swedegas has already signed an EPC contract with a supplier for the actual construction of the facility.