Tipping point for LNG as box ship fuel

摘要

I believe that LNG is set to accelerate within the container shipping industry this year after a period of steady but slow progress. This is because two of the major challenges holding back widespread use - bunkering infrastructure and high capex costs for LNG technology - have been greatly reduced. CMA CGM-owned short sea feeder Containerships' first LNG-fuelled vessel has started operating this year - an event that will help to break down the bunkering infrastructure challenges, as it will be the first box ship to use LNG in European ports. Containerships has set up a bunkering hub in the Port of Rotterdam and is using Shell as its bunkering partner. This will boost LNG bunkering infrastructure and will surely encourage other container carriers in Europe to consider this option as a way to meet the 2020 low sulphur directive.