North Sea Port in Europe prepares for refueling alternative shipping fuels

Photo: North Sea Port

North Sea Port, a cross-border port authority straddling the Netherlands and Belgium, recently announced that it is busy making preparations to enable refueling of alternative shipping fuels in the port area.

An independent risk analysis has demonstrated that the port meets all the conditions to be able to safely and efficiently carry out bunkering of liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, methanol and ammonia in Vlissingen, Terneuzen and Ghent.

This represents an important step for North Sea Port as a leading European port for alternative fuels. 

International shipping is increasingly switching from classic fossil fuels such as fuel oil and diesel to more sustainable alternatives.

In order to support that transition, North Sea Port commissioned an external risk analysis for all the berths in the port area to identify where in the port LNG, hydrogen, methanol and ammonia can be refueled. 

The study investigated truck-to-ship and ship-to-ship refueling (also known as bunkering), for both maritime and inland shipping.

This involved looking not only at nautical risks but also at surrounding infrastructure such as roads, wind turbines, high-voltage lines and strictly regulated Seveso companies with hazardous substances on their premises. 

“The independent risk analysis showed that LNG, hydrogen, methanol and ammonia can be safely refueled throughout the port area—in Vlissingen, Terneuzen and Ghent—with maximum consideration for safety and the surrounding area,” said North Sea Port CEO Cas König. “Tanker vessels and tank trucks can safely supply these alternative fuels to maritime and inland shipping that use them as fuel.” 

Strict requirements for safety, infrastructure 

In this phase, policy frameworks were tested, safety requirements validated and preparations for trial operations completed—a crucial step that confirms the port is ready for bunkering these fuels.

Companies were surveyed as to their expectations in order to determine the necessary safety and infrastructure requirements for each fuel.

The study also looked at possibilities for harmonizing audits and permits with other international ports, how policy measures align with operational practice and under which conditions trial projects can be safely conducted.

Because these new fuels have a lower energy density and specific characteristics such as higher flammability and toxicity, more bunkering operations will be needed than is currently the case, and stricter safety and infrastructure requirements will apply.

At the same time, the study also revealed that companies, public authorities and local residents want to be clear on where which fuel can be refueled.

The locations have been made visible on a so-called bunkering map for the entire port area. 

In order to be able to demonstrate the safe handling of these fuels, controlled bunkering operations will be carried out in the near future.

After completion, each test will be evaluated with the parties involved and the emergency services in order to further refine safe and efficient refueling operations.

This approach is designed to prepare the port for larger and more frequent bunkering operations with alternative fuels, and at the same time to enhance confidence in the market. 

The study supports a number of North Sea Port’s ambitions.

It contributes to the expansion of a future-proof port infrastructure, strengthens intermodal cooperation—for instance with sustainable transport routes (green corridors)—and makes an important contribution to increased sustainability of the nautical logistics chain.

By being prepared now for refueling with all four alternatives fuel throughout the port area, North Sea Port said it is positioning itself as a leader in the energy transition for European shipping. 

North Sea Port’s level of readiness for each fuel was assessed with reference to the international standards of the International Association of Ports and Harbours and the Port Readiness Level instrument for maritime fuels.

North Sea Port said it is working towards the development of common bunkering standards with other Dutch and Belgian ports.