(EnergyAsia, January 26 2012, Thursday) --- Norway’s DNV said it has been commissioned by the Flemish government to undertake a feasibility study for the provision of liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering facilities at the ports of Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Ghent in Belgium.

The work will consist of a market survey, a risk and safety analysis, and modelling of the logistics, legal and regulatory requirements needed to establish LNG bunkering infrastructure at the ports.

Hazard identification and quantitative risk analysis are key components of DNV’s service and this scope of work covers not only people at the port but the wider community and natural environment.

“The Flemish ports authorities are optimistic about the potential for safe and efficient LNG bunkering operations and DNV’s multi-disciplinary analysis will help them move forward confidently,” said Mohamed Houari, DNV head of solutions for Central Europe.

Burning LNG as fuel reduces sulphur SOx and particulate emissions by 100%, NOx emissions by approximately 90% and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by approximately 20% compared to heavy fuel oil use.

“Shipowners are working hard to meet the increasingly strict emissions requirements of the Baltic and North Seas and ports are now responding as the popularity of LNG is becoming apparent,” said Torgeir Sterri, DNV regional manager for Central Europe.

DNV said there are now 22 LNG-fuelled ships in operation around the world and that it has classed them all.

DNV said it has secured another 18 signed newbuilding contracts and three ships scheduled for conversion to use LNG fuel.

By 2020, the company expects the majority of new ships to use LNG as fuel, especially short-sea ships operating in Emission Control Areas such as the waters of Belgium.

Signs of recognition of this growing market have been seen right across Northern Europe. Norway has led the charge, and by last October, contracts were signed in Brunsbüttel in Germany too offering LNG as a bunker fuel in the Elbehafen.

The latest contract with Belgium’s Flemish government represents an important step towards promoting LNG as an environmental friendly and readily available fuel for ships.

DNV said it has been involved in several projects for LNG import terminals in Europe including Rotterdam’s GATE terminal and has also contributed to ‘A feasibility study for an LNG filling station infrastructure and test of recommendations’ published in October 2011 by the Danish Maritime Authority.

A prerequisite for the widespread use of LNG in shipping globally is a functional and standardised bunkering infrastructure and DNV heads the ISO working group tasked with the development of internationally agreed guidelines.