Leading LNG suppliers and engine manufacturers including, Shell, the Marine division of Rolls-Royce and MAN will be some of the first companies to use LNGi. The portal, which was launched today, allows subscribers to assess the availability of LNG fuel for specific trade routes and newbuild projects. It also provides information about current market developments, as well as status updates of other alternative fuels and emissions reduction technologies across every vessel segment.
“The LNG industry has been growing rapidly over the past few years, so much so, that it has become increasingly challenging to keep track of all the latest developments.” explained Dr. Gerd-Michael Würsig, Business Director LNG fuelled Ships at DNV GL – Maritime. “This is especially true for shipowners who are considering the option of using LNG in their vessels and want to ensure they have considered all the relevant factors.” LNGi combines market intelligence provided by LNG suppliers and infrastructure owners and DNV GL to create a comprehensive platform for the industry.
Lauran Wetemans, Shell’s General Manager LNG Business Development, said “LNGi keeps us in touch with new developments around port infrastructure and additions to the LNG world fleet. This information helps us anticipate the needs of our customers and identify new opportunities.”
“Such a comprehensive overview would be difficult for any single company to obtain on its own. LNGi offers shared business intelligence on a much broader scale than previously available and helps give ship owners, who are new to the LNG industry, the confidence they need to move forward with their business plans in this field,” adds Ole Skeltved, Head of Marine Installation Department at MAN Diesel & Turbo.
The portal’s interactive map provides information about LNG bunkering opportunities around the world and also includes data on existing and planned infrastructure such as truck loading facilities, tank to ship bunkering options and LNG bunker vessels, as well as detailed information on the various port and infrastructure projects. Statistics and further information on alternative fuels and emissions solutions, such as the uptake of scrubbers, give a broader overview of the most popular options to achieve compliance with environmental regulations. The Society of Gas as Marine Fuel (SGMF) will support LNGi by reviewing the data published in the portal and providing information about LNG bunkering projects. "It is important that we all refer to a trusted data set as the industry develops, LNGi offers just that. Benchmark information is critical in a complex and sometimes confusing market and this data set will play an important role, accelerating developments in this field," says Mark Bell General Manager at SGMF.
Future LNGi features will include segment specific studies, the option for shipowners to show interest towards LNG suppliers for bunkering in certain locations, improved AIS features and more details about infrastructure projects and individual LNG fuelled ships (information on LNG specific and supply relevant features such as required LNG tank size and port of calls). The members will also have their say on which features they want to see developed.
Vira Maritime