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 ship-to-ship operation was carried out at the port of La Spezia with the bunkering vessel Coral Methane under the supervision of the Italian Coast Guard.
The LNG London, owned by LNG Shipping (a cooperation between Victrol and Sogestran), is on long-term charter to Shell and supplies fuel in the ARA region.
The first of two vessels, with an option of two more, will be equipped with two Type C LNG bunker fuel tanks and are designed to meet Finnish-Swedish ice class 1A Super standards.
A total load of 72 metric tonnes of LNG bunker fuel was delivered using four trucks to the dredger on behalf of the Finnish gas supply company GASUM, it said.
NYK said the JV company was created to manage the brand ‘Gas4Sea’ which is now a wholly owned NYK subsidiary through the transfer of shares from its partners.
Avenir’s second 7,500 cbm LNG Carrier will be used to deliver LNG to various Brazilian ports upon delivery.
Between November 2016 and October 2017, Mr Tan falsified at least 20 invoices and submitted these invoices to UOB and OCBC, according to court documents obtained by bunkering publication Manifold Times.
‘CSM Taurus arrived in Singapore during mid-September and is currently undergoing final preparations before starting commercial operations,’ General Manager of CSM tells Manifold Times.
Criminal syndicate’s tampering with MFMs on bunker tankers Southernpec 6 and Southernpec 7 conceptualised by three masterminds and carried out by cargo officers on board, according to joint statement.
Seeks information connected to SGS COQs of Gas Oil and Marine Diesel Oil cargoes loaded on board Vinalines Glory from the Vopak Banyan Terminal in Singapore between January and February 2013.
Additional topics of bunker contamination and OCM services discussed at VPS’ Fuel Management Challenges – The Year of 2021 & Beyond webinar on 23 September; Manifold Times summarises the session.
‘The JMs have failed to discharge their duties by blindly helping the Banks mount a false case against the Defendant,’ wrote defence lawyers representing former IPP Director Dr Goh Jian Hian in court statement.
