THE port of Virginia has become the first port in the US to join SEALNG, a multi-sector industry coalition that seeks to accelerate the widespread usage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a ship fuel.
SEALNG chairman Peter Keller said: 'The US has vastly increased its LNG export capacity since the industry really took flight in early 2016, inspiring development in LNG bunkering capabilities on the east and west coasts.
'The addition of the port of Virginia to the coalition marks the climbing interest in LNG as a commercially viable, environmentally sustainable fuel for US domestic and international shipping.'
As part of the port's pledge to deliver operational excellence and sustainable growth, it is currently undertaking a US$700 million expansion project to raise overall container capacity by 40 per cent, as well as increase lifting and docking capabilities across its six terminals.
This March the port created a working group to examine the benefit and scalability of LNG bunkers for maritime trade.
Virginia Port Authority CEO John Reinhart said: 'Our industry is evolving and the issues of alternative marine fuels and ports reducing their carbon footprints are growing in their importance.
'LNG bunkering would represent a complimentary capability to our land and waterside assets and investments. SEALNG is a major player in leading the conversation about using LNG as a viable and sustainable marine fuel.'
The SEALNG coalition unites key players from across the LNG marine value chain to address the barriers to the adoption of LNG; advocating for collaboration, demonstration and communication on key areas such as regulation, emissions, infrastructure and the economic case, to provide the confidence and demand required for an efficient global LNG value chain for 2020 and beyond.
LNG, in combination with efficiency measures being developed for new ships in response to the International Maritime Organization's Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), will offer a way of meeting the IMO's target of a 40 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 for international shipping.
The coalition has 36 members, including the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, port of Rotterdam, the Maritime and Port Authority of (MPA) Singapore, and Yokohama Kawasaki International Port Authority (YKIP).
WORLD SHIPPING
SEALNG chairman Peter Keller said: 'The US has vastly increased its LNG export capacity since the industry really took flight in early 2016, inspiring development in LNG bunkering capabilities on the east and west coasts.
'The addition of the port of Virginia to the coalition marks the climbing interest in LNG as a commercially viable, environmentally sustainable fuel for US domestic and international shipping.'
As part of the port's pledge to deliver operational excellence and sustainable growth, it is currently undertaking a US$700 million expansion project to raise overall container capacity by 40 per cent, as well as increase lifting and docking capabilities across its six terminals.
This March the port created a working group to examine the benefit and scalability of LNG bunkers for maritime trade.
Virginia Port Authority CEO John Reinhart said: 'Our industry is evolving and the issues of alternative marine fuels and ports reducing their carbon footprints are growing in their importance.
'LNG bunkering would represent a complimentary capability to our land and waterside assets and investments. SEALNG is a major player in leading the conversation about using LNG as a viable and sustainable marine fuel.'
The SEALNG coalition unites key players from across the LNG marine value chain to address the barriers to the adoption of LNG; advocating for collaboration, demonstration and communication on key areas such as regulation, emissions, infrastructure and the economic case, to provide the confidence and demand required for an efficient global LNG value chain for 2020 and beyond.
LNG, in combination with efficiency measures being developed for new ships in response to the International Maritime Organization's Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), will offer a way of meeting the IMO's target of a 40 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 for international shipping.
The coalition has 36 members, including the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, port of Rotterdam, the Maritime and Port Authority of (MPA) Singapore, and Yokohama Kawasaki International Port Authority (YKIP).
WORLD SHIPPING