LNG industry coalition expands

The Port of Long Beach in California has become a member of SEA\LNG and is the third North American port to join the coalition. This brings SEA\LNG’s count of port members to a total of seven among the top twenty global ports; strategically placed along major trade lanes traversing Asia, Europe and the Middle East. SOHAR Port and Freezone recently became the first Middle Eastern port member of SEA\LNG.

Peter Keller, chairman of SEA-LNG, said: “The Port of Long Beach’s leadership team is highly respected in the industry for its progressive approach to serving its stakeholders, and I am delighted that we will be working closely with them to promote LNG as a marine fuel. LNG continues to be the best option to improve living standards while minimising impacts on the environment.

“Ports are critical links in the bunker supply chain and we are excited that the Port of Long Beach has joined the coalition to drive forward our vision of a competitive global LNG value chain for a cleaner maritime shipping towards 2050.”

Big emissions reductions

The Port of Long Beach has made dramatic reductions to its local NOx, SOx and diesel particulate emissions since 2005. Its Green Ship Incentive Programme — established as part of the Clean Air Action Plan in collaboration with the Port of Los Angeles — offers financial incentives for ships with the newest engines or an equivalent NOx-reducing technology.

Mario Cordero, executive director of Port of Long Beach, commented: “Allying with groups like SEA-LNG is part of being ready for the market’s growing demand for LNG fuel. It also meshes with our strategic goals to strengthen competitiveness while improving environmental sustainability.”