VIDEOS: Gazprom and Rostock Port collaborate on LNG

Gazprom and the Port of Rostock are collaborating on LNG. In the following three videos, Dr. Ulrich Bauermeister, Managing Director of Rostock Port, Claus Ruhe Madsen, President of Rostock Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Lutz Birke, Head of Strategy at Hamburg Port Authority, consider the impact this cooperation will have on the region.

Dr. Ulrich Bauermeister

Dr. Ulrich Bauermeister, Managing Director of Rostock Port, discusses his expectations for Rostock Port’s collaboration with Gazprom regarding LNG.

Transcript

Gazprom’s approach to this project is very realistic. No over-optimistic plans that will never materialize. They see that the Baltic Sea needs a network of LNG filling stations. They are the sort of partner that we as a ferry port need.

We view this project as a project that will actually be realised, and as a project that will make us more competitive. The environment is an issue that concerns all of us, and rightly so.

Rostock Port regularly discusses the cruise and RoRo businesses and what can happen and what must happen to make those businesses more environmentally friendly.

firmly believe that LNG is a sustainable fuel and a fuel that can have significant impact on the environment. That’s why we’re partnering with Gazprom to bring it to the market. Gazprom wants to do more than just supply LNG to ships. Gazprom wants to supply to the region – and that’s a decisive factor.

Given LNG’s competitiveness, that could be exactly the push this region needs.

Claus Ruhe Madsen, President of Rostock Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Claus Ruhe Madsen, President of Rostock Chamber of Commerce and Industry, adds his thoughts on the regional economic impact of Rostock Port's collaboration with Gazprom on LNG.

Transcript

Gazprom’s commitment to the region will afford us the latest technology. It will help make better use of the perfect conditions we have here. And it will mean that we are at the forefront of new development.

Nord Stream is very important – not only to our region, but to all of Germany. We all need energy, and it doesn’t grow on trees. It’s also creating jobs. And, very importantly, it will help us be seen as a portal to the outside world; as a door opener.

Lutz Birke, Head of Strategy at Hamburg Port Authority

Lutz Birke, Head of Strategy at Hamburg Port Authority, discusses the role of infrastructure projects for the new age of LNG. In particular, Birke considers the significance of LNG to German shipping and port operations.

Transcript

It’s very important that LNG infrastructure is built in Rostock. We’re going to need a lot of infrastructure for the new age of LNG.

That infrastructure can be used to supply as many ships as possible. It could be the solution to the current chicken-and-egg problem. Shippers have always said they wouldn’t invest without infrastructure. Meanwhile, LNG producers said they wouldn’t invest without the shippers.

I think that the more such infrastructure is established, and the more such companies make advance investments, the more shippers will follow suit.

As a result, we’ll have more ships powered by LNG and will have contributed to reducing emissions at sea and in port.

We’re also building a small-scale LNG terminal at Hamburg port. We want to be able to supply ships with LNG by late 2015.

We also want to be able to cater the road side of things, and it is my goal to supply LNG to trucks.

For infrastructure projects, I think it’s important to have strong partners. Investment in infrastructure often takes time to generate a return. Strong partners like Gazprom in Rostock, or our partner Bomin Linde in Hamburg. Smaller companies will likely enter the business eventually, but won’t have the financial freedom to invest in a pilot project.

Written by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/30092014/gazprom-and-rostock-port-in-lng-collaboration-1504/