(NEWS) Go LNG Training Advances Sustainable Shipping

April

2018

Go LNG Training Advances Sustainable Shipping

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) training, offered by the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) Competence Centre through the GoLNG project, took place at the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden, on 25 and 26 April 2018 with 65 participants from Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland and Turkey.

The scope and composition of the training covered requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers’ (STCW) regarding maritime personnel competency. Also included were STCW-related requirements in relation to ships subject to the Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF) International Code. Participants representing providers of LNG technologies, LNG suppliers, science institutions, maritime authorities and shipowners came together to learn about best practices involving LNG in energy and transport sectors.

LNG is one of the cleanest fossil fuels. In the context of the current energy transition it represents an excellent alternative to reduce air pollution, lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and help combat global warming. By developing the use of LNG, particularly for industry and the transport sector, the LNG strategy actively contributes to protecting our environment.

Natural gas also tops other fossil fuels when it comes to clean burning. The impact of by-products released into the surrounding environmental is very small. LNG does not pollute the ground or the underground water because its by-products appear in gaseous form. This fossil resource is essentially composed of methane and it burns without releasing any soot or sulphur dioxide. In addition, it allows for a considerable reduction of CO2 as compared to carbon and oil. With the gradual introduction and blending of renewable biogas, the use of LNG will further lower the carbon footprint.

In response to the ever-changing situation on the LNG market, the GoLNG project focuses on the development of demand and accessibility of LNG in the Baltic Sea Region. The project activities are aimed at the implementation of the EU Clean Fuel Strategy and the EU Directive on Deployment of Alternative Fuel Infrastructure in order to establish a strategic approach for the development of LNG infrastructure and promote its usage in the transport industry.

The GoLNG project consortium consists of 18 partners from 6 different countries and gathers all major LNG stakeholders in the BSR representing academia, industry, business clusters and municipalities. WMU’s participation in the GoLNG project demonstrates a continued and strong commitment of the University to support the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 7: Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

The GoLNG project falls within the Baltic Sea Interreg cooperation and is funded by the EU Regional Development Fund. WMU’s role in the project is to provide scientific input to project deliverables as well as to lead activities that will result in a Blue Transport Corridor Strategy for the BSR. The strategy will propose how the region could broaden the LNG value chain by incorporating other modalities and industry, and guide stakeholders with technical and legal information. One of the main goals of the project is to establish a regional LNG business cluster and competence centre. More information about the GoLNG project can be found at www.golng.eu.

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