Gazprom, Partners Promote LNG as Shipping Fuel

Gazprom Gazomotornoye Toplivo (Engine Fuel), Gazpromneft Marine Bunker and Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) have signed a memorandum of co-operation to promote gas as a marine transport fuel.

The parties intend to co-operate in developing LNG-powered vessels, interacting with potential consumers from among shipping companies, building infrastructure for LNG bunkering, and creating an up-to-date legal and regulatory framework for the use of LNG as engine fuel. The agreement was signed September 5 at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia.

“We see significant potential in using LNG as a fuel for sea and river vessels thanks to its economic and environmental advantages. The newly-signed memorandum will allow the parties to consolidate their efforts and expertise in this strategic area,” said the CEO of Gazprom Gazomotornoye Toplivo, Oleg Melekh (pictured centre, above).

United Shipbuilding Corporation is the largest shipbuilding company in Russia. The holding company includes about 40 design offices and specialised research centres, shipyards, ship repair and machine-building businesses, through which USC has consolidated the majority of capacities in the domestic shipbuilding industry.

Gazpromneft Marine Bunker is a subsidiary of Gazprom Neft established in 2007 with the purpose of year-round sales of marine fuels and lubricants for sea and river transport. The company is one of the largest suppliers of petroleum products in the northwestern region.

Gazprom has long promoted gas as a transport fuel on dry land, and is with German utility Uniper the organiser of Blue Corridor, a rally of LNG and CNG vehicles which will cross Europe and Russia. It began late August in Istanbul.