Port of Esbjerg puts LNG investment on hold

Port of Esbjerg is holding off its investment in liquefied natural gas (LNG) currently, as a report shows limited demand in small and medium-sized ports.

A report completed by COWI in consultation with Kosan Crisplant and other parties, for the Port of Esbjerg in connection with an EU project regarding green cruise tourism shows that “it would be inappropriate to invest in LNG at the Port of Esbjerg at the current time.”

Commenting on the report, Peter Harbo, business development manager at the Port of Esbjerg, said, “the conclusion is clear. LNG is interesting, but it is still too early for the Port of Esbjerg.”

COWI has studied how the LNG market will evolve in the years ahead throughout the entire Baltic region, creating a number of cases for the Port of Esbjerg.

At the moment, LNG is used only by some of the big cruise ships that enter Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Barcelona and other ports, but not the small ships that call at Esbjerg. At the same time, the cruise ships that actually call at Esbjerg are refueled in other ports.

The report also reviews the demand for LNG for other than cruise ships.

According to the analysis, installation vessels for offshore wind farms, crew transfer vessels and offshore supply vessels that currently sail from Esbjerg will not be using LNG for the time being.

The technology is also in place to ensure that trucks and buses can run on LNG, but even here the report does not show great prospects, the statement reads.