China: Shanghai Port expected to expand LNG bunkering ops to Waigaoqiao Port Area
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by Admin
LNG bunkering operations are expected to commence in Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai this year, according to China-based media.
Reporters in China recently learned from a meeting held by the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration that the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration is actively cooperating with relevant city departments to include Waigaoqiao Port Area as one of the ports to conduct LNG bunkering.
This would mean LNG refuelling will be available throughout Shanghai Port, taking one step closer to promote Shanghai as the preferred port for LNG bunkering. At the same time, Shanghai Port will also carry out the country’s first marine methanol bunkering operation this year.
At present, LNG bunkering at Shanghai Port is limited to the Lingang Special Area, making it difficult to fulfil market demand. Hence, only by expanding the LNG bunkering scale can Shanghai Port continue to maintain its competitiveness.
“The implementation of LNG fuel bunkering in Waigaoqiao waters will truly realise the full-port LNG bunkering capabilities of Shanghai Port, thereby maintaining Shanghai Port’s second-ranked position in the world for LNG bunkering,” said Yang Zhihui, Deputy Director of the Hazard Management and Pollution Prevention Department of Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration.
Yang Zhihui further stated that the bunkering operations in Waigaoqiao waters will be different from the services in Yangshan waters.
“Haitong Terminal in Waigaoqiao Port is the largest automobile export terminal in the country, with many ro-ro ships docking at the terminal. Unlike Yangshan Port, which focuses on container ships, LNG fuel bunkering at Waigaoqiao Port will be provided to ro-ro ships as a pilot,” he said.
In addition, the ships docking in Waigaoqiao waters are mainly ships on near-ocean routes.
“Ships on near-ocean routes have more demand for LNG refuelling. Therefore, with Shanghai Port implementing LNG refuelling capabilities in the whole port for these ships in the Waigaoqiao area, it will bring greater convenience,” Yang Zhihui said.
Shanghai Port became the first port in the country and the third in the world to be capable of simultaneous operations (SIMOPs) of ship-to-ship LNG bunkering following its first bonded bunkering operation at Yangshan Port.
During the meeting, the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration revealed that since the completion of China’s first SIMOPS LNG bunkering operation in 2022, a total of 71 LNG bunkering operations have been completed by the end of 2023.
Manifold Times previously reported bunkering vessel “Hai Gang Zhi Yuan” successfully completing the first bunkering trial of methanol by receiving fuel on shore at Shengang Oil Terminal in Yangshan Port.
Related: China: “Hai Gang Zhi Yuan” completes first methanol bunkering trial in Yangshan Port
Disclaimer: The above article published by Manifold Times was sourced from China’s domestic market through a local correspondent. While considerable efforts have been taken to verify its accuracy through a professional translator and processed from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty is made regarding the accuracy, completeness and reliability of any information.
