Cost-effective integration of LNG medium and small-scale bunkering facilities within marine bunker fuel markets

摘要

This research explores the deployment of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as marine fuel infrastructure. In the context of the sulphur limit imposed by the International Maritime Organization from January, 2015, LNG represents one of the compliant choices for vessels trading in Sulphur Emission Control Areas. Short sea shipping (ferries, coastal trading vessels) represents the segment mostly impacted by the regulation in question. LNG as marine fuel, currently, faces the issue of a deficient infrastructure. As a consequence the distribution towards bunkering location is not sustainable. Implicitly, the LNG bunker market undergoes an incipient phase of evolution. For this reason, the study has regarded the LNG distribution system that requires support by means of infrastructure planning, market analysis, logistics, supply chain perspectives and a proper analytical framework to support decision making. Findings of previous studies and theoretical positions from infrastructure planning area, logistics, supply chain, market forces, competitive environments and the analytical framework of cost-effectiveness have constituted the ground for this study. A qualitative approach of an exploratory nature has been deemed to suit the study. Several semi-structured interviews have been conducted with purposively selected candidates. Analysis of data presupposed primary data, inductive reasoning based on interviews, qualitative content analysis, secondary data and own observations. In order for the LNG market to outrun the incipiency stage, the findings of the study indicated that more LNG infrastructure that is able to capture more of the capacities has to be established. For the purpose of increasing availability for maritime customers, the patterns to be followed suggest complementing/meshing up the LNG distribution network with more facilities that operate smaller-scale capacities. The respective facilities can generate proper bunkering environments that would allow ship-owners to adequately plan the bunker sources in advance. The medium and small-scale LNG facilitiesin focus regard the establishment of Baltic SECA. Because most of the LNG infrastructure initiatives imply, on one hand policy decisions, budgetary constraints, subsidies schemes, and on the other hand potential private partnerships among various stakeholders characterized by still a non-definitive structure and an uncertain level of motivation in relation to funds to be committed, the author has proposed the cost-effectiveness analytical framework to facilitate decisions. The benefits manifest by means of facilitating a better sight on the outcomes of chosen courses of action meant to achieve specific objectives as contrasted to the associated costs