Fluxys and Titan LNG have joined forces to build the FlexFueler 002, a bunkering pontoon to make liquefied natural gas (LNG) more widely available as shipping fuel in the Antwerp port and region. The pontoon will be commissioned by mid-2020 and support the shipping industry in its switch to cleaner operations. Titan LNG will be the long-term operator of the pontoon.
The shipping industry is seeing an increase in demand for LNG and LNG bunkering infrastructure as regulations for sulphur content in shipping fuel have become stricter and will tighten even more in 2020. In this respect, switching to LNG immediately cuts emissions of sulphur and particulate matter to negligible levels, while emissions of nitrogen oxides are dramatically reduced and carbon emissions significantly lowered.
The FlexFueler 002 LNG bunkering pontoon will have as its home location Quay 526/528 in the port of Antwerp. Fluxys at Quay 526/528 has a concession to provide LNG bunkering services and currently accommodates truck-to-ship bunkering on the site. FlexFueler 002 is the second Titan LNG developed pontoon of its sort and identical to FlexFueler 001, which will come into service in Amsterdam in approximately 3 months.
From its home location at Quay 526/528, FlexFueler 002 will provide bunkering services throughout the Antwerp port and region to inland waterway vessels and small coasters. The Port of Antwerp is actively supporting this development to improve local air quality and has commissioned an LNG bunker map showing where ship-to-ship bunkering in the harbour area is supported.
Further LNG optionality in the Port of Antwerp underway
Next to Quay 526/528, G&V and Rolande LNG, Titan LNG’s sister company, will build and operate an LNG fuelling station for heavy duty trucks. The infrastructure will also be used by Fluxys and Titan LNG to provide at Quay 526/528 permanent LNG bunkering services for inland waterway vessels in addition to the current truck-to-ship bunkering option.