CORE LNGas hive project pushes infrastructure development

The Spanish port of Algeciras was home to the discussion on the developments in the CORE LNGas hive project set up to advance the supply of LNG as fuel in the transport sector. 

The main progress made has been in the adaptation and construction of infrastructure and the application of LNG to multimodal transport to enable small-scale and bunkering services with LNG to be provided in the Iberian Peninsula.

The president of the Spanish Ports Authority, Salvador de la Encina, pointed out that Spain and the ports of Spain were “leaders in LNG technology and handling.” 

He also asserted that Spain already has the basic infrastructure in place, with six plants in operation at ports, accounting for 40 percent of the whole of Europe’s storage capacity and 5.35 percent of the world’s.

The president of the APBA Gerardo Landaluce highlighted the fact that Algeciras produced the first supply of LNG as a maritime fuel in the country in 2012, and that it currently supplies LNG by means of tanker trucks.

He also stressed the need for a regulatory framework regarding tolls for accessing gas storage (import) plants.

During the conference, a study on LNG supply-demand and logistics chains was unveiled, estimating that LNG supply at the port of Algeciras and other ports on the Strait of Gibraltar will be competitive.

The CORE LNGas hive project is led by the Spanish Ports Authority and coordinated by Enagás. It has 42 partners from Spain and Portugal.