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Fluxys has announced that it plans to add a permanent LNG bunkering facility in Antwerp by the end of next year to complement the existing truck-to-ship bunkering service at the Belgian port.

The news comes as Fluxys has confirmed that it has taken over the concession at quays 526-528 in Antwerp to make LNG available as an alternative fuel for ships and barges.

Fluxys already enables barges and smaller seagoing ships to bunker LNG in Antwerp around the clock using LNG tanker trucks via truck-to-ship bunkering.

Captains as well as LNG suppliers can reserve a slot using the online platform lngbunkeringportofantwerp.com to moor at quays 526-528 and take on LNG.

But over the next year and a half, Fluxys intends to also construct - at quays 526-528 - the infrastructure needed for barges and smaller seagoing ships to refuel with LNG at a permanent facility with LNG storage.

For this purpose, the company is working closely with G&V Energy Group, which is also due to build an LNG filling station for trucks on the same site.

LNG bunkering permit

In order to provide LNG bunkering in the port of Antwerp, companies must have a permit from the Antwerp Harbourmaster's Office.

The ports of Antwerp, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Bremen, Le Havre and Marseille are currently collaborating under the auspices of the International Association of Ports and Harbours to develop a suitable accreditation process, known as the LNG Accreditation Audit Tool.

The first draft of this international safety standard was recently completed and presented.

Engie 30-year concession

Bunker Index previously reported in 2016 that Antwerp Port Authority and Engie (formerly GDF Suez; Suez) had signed a 30-year concession agreement for the development of an Alternative Energy Hub - consisting of a bunker and filling station with LNG for inland navigation and road transport - at quays 526 and 528.

Suez previously held a stake of as much as 57.25 percent in Fluxys prior to its 2008 merger with Gaz de France to form GDF Suez. In 2008, it then reduced its ownership to 44.75 percent in a move said to be in line with concessions required by the European Commission for the approval of the Gaz de France merger.

In 2010, GDF Suez then subsequently sold its remaining 38.5 percent stake in Fluxys to Publigas.

Today, Publigas has a majority shareholding of 77.62 percent in Fluxys, with Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec holding a 19.94 percent stake, Federal Holding and Investment Company owning 2.13 percent, and the remaining 0.31 percent held by employees and management.