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LNG hybrid barge coming to the Port of Rotterdam

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LNG Industry,


KOTUG has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Becker Marine Systems, in order to introduce an LNG hybrid barge to the Port of Rotterdam. This will be ready for service in June 2017. The barge will deliver LNG to cruise ships in the port, but will also be able to deliver heat to factories and the central city heating system in the winter months.

Dirk Lehmann, the Managing Director of Becker Marine Systems, said: “The LNG hybrid barge is the first flexible solution supplying clean LNG energy to cruise ships during summer season and providing the flexibility of generating electric energy and heat into a public grid system or industrial users during winter season. We see this advanced flexible solution as an opportunity for Rotterdam and other international ports.”

Ard-Jan Kooren, the CEO of KOTUG, claimed: “As a leading towage company and with our strong focus on innovative technical and environmental solutions, we strive for reducing our environmental footprint and encouraging our suppliers, clients, business partners and stakeholders to reduce their environmental impact. We are proud to be working with innovative partners like Becker Marine Systems and we look forward to making together a significant step in supporting our clients in a greener, safer and more efficient operation.”

This agreement has gained attention from key players in the LNG industry, including Dutch National LNG Platform, Shell and Cruiseport Rotterdam. Shell’s Downstream LNG Business Development Manager for Europe, Arjan Stavast, said: “We see the LNG hybrid barge as a unique solution for the maritime industry. We will follow these developments closely as we do believe that the delivery of electricity through LNG is possible for (cruise) ships, factories and cities, while not having to invest heavily in additional electricity infrastructure.”

Mai Elmar, the Executive Director of Cruise Port Rotterdam, added: “The LNG hybrid barge which KOTUG and Becker Marine Systems together are planning to introduce to Rotterdam will potentially reduce emissions even further. The cruise industry is known to work successfully towards a cleaner and healthier environment to which this LNG hybrid barge certainly substantially will contribute to. It will enable the cruise vessels to consume energy in an even cleaner and green way. We are delighted to learn about this initiative and are looking forward to welcome the LNG Hybrid barge in Rotterdam.”

The Chairman of the Dutch National LNG Platform, Gerrit van Tongeren, said: “This initiative between KOTUG and Becker Marine Systems is very much welcomed and supported by the Dutch National LNG Platform. It is another great and unique example of how leading maritime companies, each with their own specialty, can work together in the entire LNG chain. We share the same goal: to get LNG introduced in the market and contribute to a cleaner and greener environment. We therefore follow and support this initiative and wish all parties good luck in achieving the objectives.”

Edited from press release by David Rowlands

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/small-scale-lng/05102015/lng-hybrid-barge-coming-to-the-port-of-rotterdam-1407/

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