Port of Koper Looking into LNG Bunkering Ops

The Slovenian port of Koper presented studies in the framework of the European project GAINN4MOS as the port is looking to refuel vessels with liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the site.

Koper port said that, although the National spatial plan for comprehensive spatial arrangement of the international port in Koper does not foresee the existence of fixed infrastructure for LNG, the port still has to guarantee support to LNG powered vessels as it is among core EU ports.

Uroš Prosen, director of TGE Gas Engineering Slovenia, said that considering space limitation of the port of Koper and safety issues, “the refuel would be possible only with mobile solutions – for example through specialized feeder vessels.”

He added that for now “it seems that refuelling could be done only at anchorage and not at berth.”

The studies were presented as part of the Directive 2014/94/EU on deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, which was adopted with the aim of minimising dependence on oil and to mitigate the environmental impact of transport.

Through the Directive the European Union requested from Member States to draft national policy frameworks on alternative fuels, including LNG. Member States are also expected to ensure that an appropriate number of refuelling points for LNG are put in maritime ports to enable ships to circulate throughout the TEN-T Core Network by the end of 2025.

To study adequately the field in cooperation with institutions that have experience with LNG, Luka Koper joined the Action GAINN4MOS, which is co-financed by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility.