Spanish LNG Bunkering Soars in 2020
Some 741 LNG bunkering operations took place in Spain in 2020, versus a mere 199 in 2019, Iberian gas association Gasnam reported on January 26.
The number of ports where these operations took place regularly increased from six to nine: Algeciras, Almería, Barcelona, Bilbao, Denia, Huelva, Malaga, Tenerife and Valencia. A total of 122,058 m3 of LNG was used to refuel ships, with 68.5% supplying ferries and 31.1% cruise ships. Quieter and cleaner engines are the main attractions.
Gasnam also noted progress on the regulatory front. Last October, new LNG bunkering toll rates came into force in Spain that the association said were the most competitive in Europe.
Looking ahead, the European Commission backed the construction of an LNG bunkering vessel to serve in the Spanish port of Algeciras with a €11mn ($13.4mn) loan earlier this month. The barge is due to start operations in 2023.