Push, LNG, Wesfarmers, Evol LNG, Freemantle, Bunkering
Photo: Wesfarmers
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With the bunkering of the offshore support vessel »Siem Thiima« the Australian maritime community started the use of LNG as fuel for commercial shipping purposes.

The operation was recently undertaken by Evol LNG in Western Australia, Evol’s parent company Wesfarmers announced no[ds_preview]w. Under an agreement with Woodside, Evol refuelled the platform supply vessel »Siem Thiima« at King Bay Supply Base near Dampier. Business Manager Nick Rea is quoted saying that this is »just the beginning«. »Our decision to enter the LNG bunkering market is part of a long-term strategy that recognises environmental and economic sustainability of LNG as a transport fuel,« said Mr Rea. »It also recognises that the LNG marine fuel market is still in development so the fact Evol has over 15 years’ experience in distributing LNG means we saw an opportunity to provide a suite of services that perhaps others can’t.«

Competitive Price for bunkering

According to Rea, Evol would be able to supply Fremantle customers with LNG at a price competitive with low-sulphur marine diesel and would be able to refuel ships at up to 45 tonnes per hour. Initially LNG will be delivered from Evol’s LNG’s Kwinana plant.

»With growing demand for lower emission fuels over the past decade, we’ve seen the number of LNG fuelled ships in operation worldwide increase steadily from a handful to more than 75, with an additional 80 expected to be built in the next three years.« he added, saying that that growth had largely been driven by International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations and the introduction of emission control areas in Europe and North America. In addition, China has introduced emission control areas around its three major ports. »Interest in LNG as a marine fuel is growing, especially since the IMO announced that it would introduce a global marine fuel sulphur limit of 0.5 per cent from 2020,« he said.

The company aims to expand the business, particularly as truck-to-ship LNG bunkering can be achieved relatively inexpensively with existing logistics assets. »If interest is there, we will obtain licences from other major Australian and regional WA ports to conduct LNG bunkering operations, and look at investing in infrastructure to meet the market’s needs.«