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China: Two boxships refuelled using new LNG bunkering method

06 Feb 2023

Two liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered container ships were refuelled with a new LNG bunkering method for the first time in China on Tuesday (31 January), according to China-based news outlets. 

This marked the first time the LNG bunker fuel tank replacement method officially entered the bunkering industry in China.

The LNG-fuelled boxships, “Hongyuan Xuzhou” and “Hongyuan Wuhan”, were equipped with two movable liquified LNG tanks in Xuzhou. Each fuel tank contains 17 tonnes of LNG with a sailing capacity of 3,000 km. 

Miao Xiaochao, Team Leader of CNOOC Jiangsu LNG Tank Replacing Project Team, reportedly said: “This kind of movable LNG fuel tank supplying gas to cargo ships is like replacing batteries for new energy vehicles. This model is the first in China. The whole process only takes 15 to 30 minutes, which is 60% to 70% shorter than the traditional filling method.”

The two then set sail on the Jiangsu section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. 

According to the reports, in the past, LNG bunkering for inland ships mainly included ship-to-ship refuelling, shore-based refuelling station refuelling and tank truck refuelling – all of which needed to be refuelled through the pipeline system. 

Due to the lack of available stations built along the river and along the river, it is difficult to bunker ships with fuel in a timely manner. 

The tank replacement and refuelling method for LNG-powered ships will help promote the development of green shipping in China’s inland rivers. 

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.

 

Photo credit: David Yu from Pixabay
Published: 6 February, 2023

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