VTG, Brunsbüttel Ports reaffirm LNG cooperation

VTG Aktiengesellschaft and Brunsbüttel Ports have signed an agreement in which both parties reaffirmed their commitment to LNG.

“I am delighted that we have taken the next step, with our partner Brunsbüttel Ports, to further develop an LNG transport and logistics system”, said Dr. Heiko Fischer, CEO of VTG. “Together, we intend to utilise and extend opportunities for a land-based LNG supply across Europe from Brunsbüttel port.”

Wagon prototypes

Both companies have been actively involved with LNG for some time: Brunsbüttel Ports is planning an LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel, while VTG has developed and is building two tank wagon prototypes for transporting LNG.

Frank Schnabel, Managing Director of Brunsbüttel Ports, explained: “We can see great potential for synergies. LNG is the ideal solution for environmentally friendly, sulfur-free ship propulsion. Furthermore, liquefied gas is emerging as an attractive alternative to pipeline gas for the industrial sector. A European-wide industrial supply, which also extends to cover inland sites, is the fundamental precondition driving this development forward. Having an LNG terminal at Brunsbüttel as a starting point and onward distribution by rail with the VTG LNG tank wagons would ensure that we can provide the industry, as well as potential gas users inland, with an efficient supply.”

LNG by rail

VTG is building two prototypes to transport LNG by rail with partner Chart Ferox. VTG is responsible for the development and completion of the wagons, while Chart Ferox is constructing the tank. Particular development effort was required for a unique suspension technique between the tank and the underframe, together with vibration calculation tests performed by both companies.

As an additional safety measure, the tank wagons are being equipped with 25 t wheelsets and a GPS monitoring option for the tank. Transportation to and from Spain poses no obstacle for the prototypes, despite different gauge widths. The wagons are being constructed in such a way that regauging is possible at the French-Spanish border interchange stations.

Brunsbüttel terminal

Plans for the LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel include:

• An LNG tank at the site, which can supply LNG to the maritime transport sector as an alternative fuel.
• The capability for supplies to be distributed to both regional and national industries, and additionally be used as a nationwide alternative gas supply.

In addition to supplying LNG to the maritime sector, LNG will start to be used more frequently in Brunsbüttel’s local industry, because of new environmental directives for ship exhaust gases. Forecasts have indicated that the demand for gas in the Brunsbüttel industrial area will considerably increase over the next years. As a result, the Brunsbüttel industrial sector can guarantee the basic operating rate of an LNG terminal.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/small-scale-lng/21012015/vtg-commits-to-lng-future-88/