LNG bunkering demand at Iberian Peninsula ports

摘要

The entry into force of IMO regulations amendments on greenhouse gas emissions (MARPOL Annex VI) is causing a revolution in the maritime industry, as ships must reduce their emissions by changing the type of fuel used by one with lower emissions or by installing scrubbers. The most radical alternative is to use LNG as fuel, as we need to know the expected demand for fuel in a given ECA area based on some limiting parameters such as tank volumes, their location on board to avoid compromising their stability, the autonomy of the ship, the fuel calorific power, the ports supply capacity and the new regulations. Attending at the special location of the Strait of Gibraltar, near the coasts of Spain and Portugal, and at the transit of ships through it, we assume that part of the fleet passing this strait can call at any port of our coasts for a LNG fuel supply, which makes necessary to gain enough knowledge to be able to estimate potential demand. This paper will determine the potential LNG demand from vessels calling at Spanish and Portuguese ports in one year based on AIS to monitor all ship arriving to Spain and Portugal and IMO formula to calculate the fuel needed to give adequate power during the time of navigation of the ship.