Mauritius Eyes LNG Bunkering

Mauritius Ports Authority has hired Royal HaskoningDHV to look into possibilities for Port Louis to be converted into a bunkering and petroleum/LNG hub.

The analysis would be conducted within the scope of the Port Masterplan studies for Port Louis (the gateway port of the Island of Mauritius) and for Port Mathurin on the Island of Rodrigues.

Having in mind the growing popularity of LNG as marine fuel among shipowners, the port authority is interested in exploring the opportunity. In this context, the contractor would also conduct a risk assessment and land use planning, with the aim of finding the balance between stakeholder interests.

Under the contract, Royal HaskoningDHV is also required to identify new business opportunities for Mauritius ports and forecast cargo and traffic flows. The work includes the assessment of needs for extending and upgrading port infrastructure, and developing a land use plan for the next 25 years.

 “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract by Mauritius Ports Authorities. The project win is a direct result our vast experience in port planning, waterfront and marina development, and shipping economics,” said Director Michiel de Jong, of Maritime and Waterways, Royal HaskoningDHV.

The studies, to be completed by August 2016, will also examine the challenges associated with future development of the ports, including:

• exploring the potential of Port Louis for container transhipment, increasing performance of the Mauritius Container Terminal, and maintaining and improving market share in a competitive market;
• unlocking land outside the port boundaries for port expansion, and related challenges in terms of interactions between the port, city and land owners;
• adapting existing port infrastructure such as quay walls, jetties, port basins and tank farms to handle a wider range of trades; finding a balance between trade development, waterfront development, cruise facilities, marina development, and preservation of the islands’ sensitive ecological system.