Lin-gang Special Area showcases remarkable progress in bonded LNG bunkering services at ports. [Photo/thepaper.cn]

The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Lin-gang Special Area marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its fifth anniversary of establishment on Aug 20, showcasing remarkable progress in bonded LNG bunkering services at ports.

The city has now surpassed Singapore to claim the second spot globally in liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering services, with Yangshan Deep Water Port and Nangang Port emerging as key players in this development since March 2022.

Bonded LNG bunkering services have become a pivotal aspect of supporting infrastructure at ports, especially for ships on international routes seeking refueling services as a primary reason for transiting and docking. Shanghai's Yangshan Deep Water Port made history on March 14, 2022 by launching China's first international voyage ship-to-ship bonded LNG bunkering service, thereby becoming the world's third major port to offer such services. As of the end of July, 114 voyages have availed themselves of the bunkering services in Yangshan, with a substantial total of 660,636.7 cubic meters of fuel provided.

In a groundbreaking move, the world's first river-sea LNG bunkering vessel, Huaihe Nengyuan Qihang, commenced operations on Aug 7 at Nangang Port, loading 6,000 cubic meters of LNG fuel for the environmentally friendly Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) ship Höegh Aurora, the world's largest of its kind. Nangang Port, a hub for Ro-Ro shipping, had facilitated the export of 275,000 cars as of the end of July, exceeding half of the year's planned volume.

Yangshan Port, equipped with three bunkering vessels, has completed 100 rounds of ship-to-ship clean energy refueling services.

Looking ahead, the ports within the Lin-gang Special Area are setting their sights on expanding their fueling services to include methanol, further solidifying their position as leaders in innovative and environmentally conscious maritime solutions.