Ports around the world are ramping up their efforts to develop LNG bunkering infrastructure as demand for LNG-fuelled ships hits new highs.
Over the past year, 44 global ports have joined the club of global ports able to provide LNG bunkering. Namely, according to the data from Clarksons, in January 2022, LNG bunkering was available at 141 ports worldwide. Today, this number has increased to 185 ports worldwide, with a further 50 facilities planned by 2025.
Insights from the shipbroker show that 61% of tonnage ordered last year (35% by number) was alternatively fuelled. Over half of tonnage ordered (397 orders, 36.7m GT) was LNG dual fuel, and 1.4% of orders were LNG “ready” (31 orders).
Based only on existing orders, DNV forecasts the number of LNG-fuelled ships will reach 876 by the end of this decade.
However, if current growth trends continue, LNG bunkering coalition SEA LNG believes the market can expect to see 2-4,000 LNG-fuelled ships in operation by 2030.
By the end of 2022, there were 40 LNG bunker vessels operating in northern Europe, the Mediterranean, United States, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Brazil, and Australia. In addition, 2022 saw commercial ship-to-ship bunkering of LNG taking place for the first time in China, the Caribbean, and Russia.
Namely, China welcomed its first seagoing LNG bunkering vessel last year. The 30,000 cbm Hai Yang Shi You 301, described as the world’s largest LNG bunker vessel, was officially put into operation by China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s subsidiary Guangzhou Shipbuilding International following a conversion project for the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).
Source: World Maritime News
