German funding programme for LNG in maritime shipping
Published: August 29, 2017
Source: BMVI (translated into English by INDanube)
The German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) is now promoting the equipment and conversion of ocean-going vessels to liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel. The aim of the new funding programme is to promote the use of LNG in German maritime shipping. The funding is provided by the Mobility and Fuel Strategy (“Mobilitäts- und Kraftstoffstrategie” MKS).
Enak Ferlemann, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure:
Germany is one of the world’s largest shipping nations. We want to maintain this leading position and therefore support the introduction of innovative technologies. With our new funding programme, we are accelerating the proliferation of alternative propulsion systems in the maritime sector and keeping the course towards our goal: more mobility with fewer emissions.
LNG as a marine fuel helps to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. Unlike conventional oil-based marine fuels, LNG does not emit any sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions. Nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) are reduced by up to 90 percent and particulate emissions by approx. 98 percent.
In addition to the expansion of the LNG tank infrastructure and the equipment and conversion of vessels, BMVI is also modernising the federal fleet with alternative propulsion systems. The BMVI is launches this initiative with the research vessel “Atair” of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH).
The funding guidelines are published today in the Federal Gazette. A first call for project proposals is in preparation. Entitled to apply are companies that are the owners of a ship or are planning to build a new ship, as well as corporations and institutions under public law.
More details on the BMVI website:
LNG funding guideline for maritime shipping: www.bmvi.de/lng-foerderrichtlinie
Expansion of the LNG tank infrastructure in the National Strategic Framework (NSR): www.bmvi.de/nsr
Construction of the “Atair” official vessel: www.bmvi.de/atair