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The president of Gasnam - the Iberian association for compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as alternative fuels for road, railway and maritime transportation - has indicated that Spain can become a key player in the global LNG bunkering sector.

Speaking during a round table discussion entitled "Liquefied natural gas: the future of sustainable maritime transport" at the SIL 2017 logistics event in Barcelona last week, Gasnam's Jose Ramon Freire said: "Spain can lead the LNG bunkering sector for strategic reasons and because of its experience."

"Today it is possible to supply LNG to ships in any port in Spain thanks to the eight regasification plants that exist throughout the Iberian peninsula," added Freire, who also praised the role of Spanish shipping companies such as Balearia and Flota Suardiaz, which have already included LNG-powered ships in their fleet renewal programmes.

Freire also referred to two projects that are under way in Spain - which are designed to promote the use of LNG as a bunker fuel - that are co-financed by the European Union: CleanPort and Core LNGas Hive.

During the discussion, Freire emphasized the environmental advantages of LNG as a marine fuel that is able to meet the stricter emission reduction requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Gasnam's president also highlighted the work of the association with the public and private sectors to encourage the use of LNG.

Freire said measures such as the reduction of port fees to ships using LNG during their stay in port, or the development of recommendations for the supply of LNG, were the result of the joint collaboration of the maritime and gas sectors.

Also participating in the round table discussion were: David Fernandez of Gas Natural Distribucion; Jordi Vila Martinez, Head of Environment, Exploitation and Planning at the Port of Barcelona; and Jose Poblet, manager of Cotenaval.

Image: Jose Ramon Freire, president of Gasnam.