RF Transport Ministry considers possible privileges on port dues for LNG powered ships

The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation has started developing measures intended to encourage introduction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as environmentally friendly fuel in shipping, Victor Olersky, Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation – Head of the Federal Marine and River Transport Agency, said at the Conference “LNG Fleet and LNG Bunkering in Russia” organized by Media Group PortNews (Moscow, 25 October 2017).

According to Victor Olersky, possible privileges on port dues for LNG powered ships are under consideration. In Europe, a discount makes 10% of port dues and more. 

Victor Olersky emphasized the necessity of state support to the use of LNG as marine fuel since the construction costs of LNG powered ships are generally 30% higher as compared with conventional ships. 

The official believes that LNG can be also used by ships of mixed sea/river navigation which can be bunkered with LNG using use the sea infrastructure. As for the Baltic Sea Basin, the Ministry of Transport expects the projects on LNG production and bunkering at the ports of Vysotsk and Kaliningrad to be completed by 2020.