The Chinese Transport Ministry is seeking feedback from the country’s key maritime and shipping players on the advancement of the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as marine fuel.
The ministry addressed the letter seeking comments to shipping companies, port and maritime authorities as well as oil companies, asking them to submit their opinions on the promotion of LNG as bunker fuel by August 20.
The call for opinions is in line with the country’s latest efforts to curb pollution and promote green technology, which have resulted in numerous restructuring of the country’s energy infrastructure.
According to the ministry, LNG has a strong role to play in China’s energy transformation policy, as the country plans to focus on improving its LNG bunkering supply capacity, improve its LNG transportation management system, and further promote utilization of LNG as bunker fuel in ports and ships, especially ahead of the 2020 sulphur cap.
As part of the plan, considerable investments are being considered for LNG terminals both inland and at seaports. Specifically, China wants to accelerate the planning and siting of key berths for LNG tankers in the Bohai Bay area of northern China, as well as along its main rivers.
In addition to bolstering the supply chain, the ministry also pointed to the need of boosting promotion of LNG as marine fuel and improving the standards and regulatory systems for its use.
World Maritime News Staff