Berlin-based Liquind will later this year launch two LNG bunkering stations for inland vessels to cater to an increasing demand for cleaner fuels in Germany.
The stations in Mannheim and Duisburg should start serving vessels working on the Rhine in the summer, Jan Schubert, head of sales and marketing at Liquind’s marine unit, told LNG Prime on Tuesday.
Schubert says the two stations would feature 100 cbm LNG storage tanks, but the firm is looking to boost the capacity further.
As per customers, Liquind Marine is currently in talks with several companies that already operate or have ordered LNG-fueled inland waterway vessels, according to Schubert.
“We see significant interest from the market to use the infrastructure especially for those vessels that are not returning to ARA frequently and stay in the Upper Rhine area for business,” he said.
Liquind is one of the largest owners of LNG filling stations for trucks in Germany and the firm aims to build twenty-three such facilities as fleet owners increasingly opt for the fuel to cut costs and slash emissions.
In parallel, the firm develops the LNG bunkering business via its marine unit.
To remind, Liquind Marine wrapped up its first bunkering operation in September last year fueling the LNG-powered dredger Scheld River in Brunsbüttel.
In addition, the firm and partner GasCom Equipment have recently bunkered Elbferry’s Greenferry I in Brunsbüttel. The duo will now regularly fuel the vessel via a truck-to-ship method.
“We are already conducting truck-to-ship bunkering operations every week and will extend that business further,” Schubert said.