Brussels, 18/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European inland ports have responded cautiously to the European Commission's proposal to extend the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to inland shipping. The European Federation of Inland Ports (EFIP) has pointed out a contradiction with the European rules banning the use and transport of LNG in inland waterway transport.
In its strategy on alternative fuels published at the end of January, the Commission is planning LNG refuelling points in the 139 maritime and inland ports which make up the trans-European transport network (TETN) by 2020, i.e. in 10% of European ports. The EFIP supports the idea of the use of LNG as a fuel in inland shipping, but argues that at this point, the plan does not hold water. The director of the Federation, Isabelle Ryckbost, explains that “it is clear that a strict scheme of refuelling points cannot be imposed on inland ports as long as, based on the current legislation, LNG can neither be used as alternative fuel nor be transported as cargo in inland waterway transport”. The directive in force (2006/87/EG) should therefore be adapted as suggested by Ryckbost: “lifting this ban is probably the most urgent policy measure to take”. She illustrates that it is not possible to convince barge owners to use LNG, and to oblige ports to invest in refuelling points, if the use of LNG is currently possible only on the basis of temporary and case-by-case exemptions to the European rules in force. (MD/transl.fl)