The Australian McGowan Government on Saturday (9 May) stated it is leading a push to establish a liquid natural gas (LNG) fuelling hub for bulk vessels in the Pilbara, potentially creating more than 100 local jobs and supporting global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
International Maritime Organisation regulations require trading vessels to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and the international shipping industry is turning to LNG as a transition fuel as it works towards clean hydrogen and other carbon-free fuels, it said in an official release.
Building on the Pilbara’s strength as a global LNG production hub, the McGowan Government will offer a 50 % discount in port dues to bulk vessels bunkering with LNG at Pilbara ports – saving each vessel around AUD 20,000 (USD 13,108).
The discount comes into effect on 1 July, 2020 and will remain in place for five years. If taken up, the discounts could be worth up to AUD 5.3 million (USD 3.5 million) by 2025.
The Pilbara LNG Bunkering Hub could create up to 125 jobs in the Pilbara, including skilled mariners and support administration, it added.
Transitioning iron ore exports shipped from the Pilbara from heavy fuel oil vessels to LNG fuelled vessels could reduce carbon emissions by up to six million tonnes per annum.
To help kick-start the shift to LNG fuelling in the Pilbara, the Pilbara Ports Authority has executed Australia’s first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering services licenses to Woodside Energy at Port Hedland and Dampier.
The McGowan Government said it is also driving opportunities in green hydrogen in the Pilbara through the WA Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, creating future opportunities for carbon-free fuel in the region.
“The Pilbara is already globally renowned as an LNG production powerhouse, and my Government is taking steps to turn the Pilbara into an international LNG fuelling hub,” said Premier Mark McGowan
“A Pilbara LNG Bunkering Hub could create more than 100 long-term jobs in the Pilbara, while supporting global efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the shipping industry.”
“Major resources companies have already tendered for LNG-fuelled bulk vessels to carry iron ore from the Pilbara, and are beginning negotiations about where to bunker those ships,” added Ports Minister Alannah MacTiernan.
“We’ve moved quickly to capitalise on this opportunity before our competitors in South East Asia claim the mantle.
“Importantly, a Pilbara LNG Bunkering Hub provides the platform for Western Australia to become the region’s major renewable hydrogen producer and fuelling stop – driving down carbon emissions from shipping and creating a whole new industry for the Pilbara.”
“The McGowan Government is taking innovative and bold steps to create new, long-term local jobs in the Pilbara,” commented Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel.
“An LNG bunkering hub in the Pilbara will help to bring down greenhouse gas emissions on the Burrup and make the Pilbara a world-leader in clean fuel for the shipping industry.”
Photo credit: Pilbara Ports Authority
Published: 11 May, 2020
The vessel was a collaboration between Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Ilshin Logistics, POSCO, Lloyd’s Register and Korean Register.
IGF Code training system not developed in Asia, causing NYK to develop its own training program, it explains.
‘LNG has unmatchable major local emissions benefits and is a major step forward for GHG reductions,’ it says.
Company prepares crew for LNG bunkering pontoon operations by the end of this year.
Titan LNG said it has identified the Western Scheldt as a strategic location for LNG bunkering and its application has been approved by the relevant authorities.
The hopper dredger Scheldt River received 85 mt of LNG bunker fuel at the Elbehafen harbour in Brunsbuttel, Germany.
IBIA Asia, ABIS, sources from Singapore’s bunkering and surveying companies, and an industry veteran share with Manifold Times the issues expected from MPA’s latest Covid-19 measures.
The top three positive movers in the 2020 bunker supplier list are Hong Lam Fuels Pte Ltd (+13); Chevron Singapore Pte Ltd (+12); and SK Energy International (+8), according to MPA list.
‘We will operate in the Singapore bunkering market from the Tokyo, with support from local staff at Sumitomo Corporation Singapore,’ source tells Manifold Times.
Changes include abolishing advance declaration of bunkers as dangerous cargo, reducing pilotage fees on vessels receiving bunkers, and a ‘whitelist’ system for bunker tankers.
Claim relates to deliveries of MGO to the vessels Pacific Diligence, Pacific Valkyrie, Pacific Defiance, Crest Alpha 1, and Pacific Warlock between March 2020 to April 2020.
3,490 mt of LSFO from Itochu Enex was lifted at Universal Terminal; the same bunker stem was bought by Global Marine Logistics and delivered by bunker tanker Juma to receiving vessel Kirana Nawa.
