EU supports LNG use in French waters

The EU’s TEN-T programme will co-finance with nearly €500,000 a regional project supporting the use of alternative fuels, in particular liquefied natural gas, in the Seine river and the French Channel area.

The project is expected to reduce environmental impact and cut down on fuel consumption in water transport, European Commission’s Innovation and Networks Executive Agency said in a statement.

The project aims to introduce greener fuels in French regional water transport and pave the way to their wide deployment in line with the new EU requirements on the reduction of maritime transport emissions.

This study will focus on the regulation, safety and installation aspects of the necessary infrastructure to support the deployment of alternative fuels. It will also transfer knowledge to about 75 stakeholders in eight ports through a specific training programme preparing the participants on the use of low emission fuels.

The project’s implementation will be monitored by INEA and it is to be completed by December 2015.