By the end of the year, good news about the LNG (liquefied natural gas) filling station in the Yangtze River trunk shipping market came one after another: on December 10, Chongqing Banan Maliu filling station, the first inland bank based marine LNG filling terminal on the Yangtze River, came the news that the comprehensive acceptance of the project has been completed. Since the trial operation in November 2019, the terminal has obtained the full compliance operation qualification; On December 15, the wharf project of Zigui water transportation application LNG project passed the handover acceptance and will be put into operation soon; On December 20, Wuhu Yangtze River LNG ship filling station successfully completed the first ship filling… A number of filling stations were accelerated to be completed and put into operation, which played an important role in alleviating the “gas shortage” problem in the Yangtze River trunk shipping market.
However, to strengthen the promotion and application of LNG in the shipping market, there should be not only filling stations, but also LNG ships and corresponding supporting services, and solve the worries of the filling stations and ships in the continuous operation, so as to make “LNG + shipping” produce a good “chemical reaction”. Recently, the reporter visited a number of filling station operating companies and shipping enterprises along the Yangtze River to listen to their “joy and worry” about the promotion and application of LNG along the Yangtze River trunk line.
accelerate the completion and operation of LNG filling station
but later operation is weak
The construction and operation of LNG filling station is an important measure to practice “gasification of the Yangtze River and green development”. In April this year, the Ministry of transport held a press conference and pointed out that seven LNG filling stations in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan and Hubei will be built and operated by the end of this year, so as to form a LNG ship filling system along the river as soon as possible.
After combing, it is found that in addition to the significant progress made in three LNG filling terminals in Maliu, Chongqing, Zigui, Hubei and Wuhu, Anhui, the pace of building and operating LNG filling terminals in other provinces and cities is also accelerating. On December 20, Jiangsu Zhenjiang port Runxiang LNG filling station was officially put into operation; On the same day, the ship LNG filling project in Hukou port area of Jiujiang port, Jiangxi Province, on the Yangtze River trunk line successfully passed the handover acceptance; In Hubei Ezhou Huarong Sanjiang port area, China Gas Ezhou port Fudi Fujiang marine LNG filling terminal is under construction in full swing
Accelerating the construction of LNG filling station is an important measure for our company to respond to the national strategy for the development of the Yangtze River economic belt and implement the concept of “ecological priority and green development”. We started the construction of Maliu filling station in 2013, which can be said to be at the forefront of the great protection team of the Yangtze River. Zhang Hong, deputy general manager of China Gas Chongqing Fujiang Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
He introduced that as early as December 18, 2012, the first LNG / diesel dual fuel ship “Changxun 3” in the Yangtze River, the result of the cooperation between China Changhang group and Fudi oil group, opened its maiden voyage. After comprehensive evaluation, compared with diesel, the ship can save about 25% of the cost and reduce 100% of sulfur oxides, 85% – 90% of nitrogen oxides and 15% – 20% of carbon dioxide. “It is precisely because of the good economic and environmental protection properties of LNG that we decided to take the lead in building a filling station.”
Due to various historical and natural factors, Maliu filling station did not start trial operation until 2019. So far, it has been in operation for two years. In the process of operation, some problems have also been exposed, which has become a “heart disease” for people in Fujiang, Chongqing. “The main problem now is that the operation cost of the filling station is high and the return cycle is long. The company bears great operating pressure.” Zhang Hong said.
It is reported that the first phase of Maliu filling station project has a total investment of about 150 million yuan, and the safety and health maintenance requirements of the filling station are very high. Combined with personnel expenditure, maintenance cost, equipment depreciation cost and capital interest, the annual operating cost is tens of millions of yuan. However, in the past two years of operation, only more than 50 ships have come to refill gas, and the income is less than one million yuan, which is a drop in the bucket compared with the cost.
Maliu filling station was included in the list of the second batch of pilot demonstration projects for the application of liquefied natural gas in the water transportation industry by the Ministry of transport in 2016. However, from construction to operation, all funds are self raised by enterprises. It is hoped that relevant national departments can give financial subsidies to enterprises actively participating in the construction of filling station to alleviate the pressure of enterprises. “Zhang Hong suggested. At the same time, he hoped that relevant departments would further introduce policies to promote the Yangtze River shipping market to put more LNG ships into operation, and do not let the built filling facilities” bask in the sun.
Different from the helplessness of Chongqing Fujiang company, Hubei Fudi Fujiang Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Hubei Three Gorges Zhongyi new energy Co., Ltd., which are respectively responsible for the construction of Ezhou and Zigui filling station projects, are lucky. This year, both companies received the first batch of special investment subsidies for port and shipping construction in Hubei Province of 10 million yuan. “It is estimated that we will invest 100 million in the construction of filling station project. As long as we complete the operation target by the end of the year as scheduled, the subsequent 50 million subsidy funds will be in place one after another, which will alleviate the pressure of enterprises to a certain extent. Thank you very much for the strong support of government departments.” Yang Xiaolin, deputy general manager of Hubei Three Gorges Zhongyi new energy Co., Ltd., is pleased to introduce.
Although the problem of difficult source of funds has been solved to a certain extent, Yang Xiaolin is also worried about the small number of LNG ships in the Yangtze River shipping market. She said: “Zigui filling station is the first LNG filling terminal in the Three Gorges region. It is hoped that it will be fully utilized after completion, better serve the use of clean energy for ships, and help the high-quality development of shipping on the Yangtze River.”
strengthen LNG ship construction
hope to introduce supporting policies
For the concerns of Zhang Hong and Yang Xiaolin, a number of shipping enterprises on the Yangtze River are trying first and taking the initiative to build LNG ships.
Striving to achieve carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutralization by 2060 is an important content of China’s supply side structural reform and promoting sustainable development. At the press conference of the Ministry of transport in April this year, spokesman Sun Wenjian put forward: “the use of LNG power for ships can significantly reduce the emission of air pollutants and carbon dioxide from ships such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, which is of great positive significance to promote the high-quality development of water transportation industry and help the transportation industry achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutralization.”
On December 22, Chongqing Fuling Zesheng shipyard stepped up the construction of two 10000 ton LNG / diesel dual fuel ships, one of which is expected to be put into operation by the end of February next year. It is understood that the two ships belong to Chongqing taixinsheng Shipping Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “taixinsheng company”). “The development of green shipping is the general trend. Although we are a private enterprise, we should also actively undertake the social responsibility of protecting the mother river.” Kuang Changbo, head of the company, said.
According to the relevant person in charge of Minsheng Shipping Co., Ltd., the company has started the reconstruction of two 900 car commercial vehicle ro ro ships in advance, transforming the ship main engine into LNG / fuel dual fuel main engine, and the modification is expected to be completed by the end of April 2022; Meanwhile, the construction of four 130 meter dual-purpose LNG dual fuel standard ships has been started, and the construction will be promoted in the later stage according to the situation.
Yangtze River shipping enterprises have started LNG ship construction one after another, not only because of its good environmental protection attribute, but also because it can give priority to the Three Gorges ship lock. As the first LNG clean energy ship to pass through the Three Gorges Lock, “new Changjiang 26007” has more say. “This round can reduce the waiting time by 8 days / time, reduce the round-trip cycle by at least 13 days, and significantly improve the operation efficiency.” The relevant person in charge of Shanghai Changjiang Shipping Co., Ltd. once introduced.
According to the information of Yichang transportation department, there are also five LNG ships under construction in Yichang. “Our company specializes in the lightering transportation between the Three Gorges dam. LNG ships can pass the gate first, which is naturally our first choice for building new ships. At present, the company is only building one. If the subsequent countries issue strong support policies, we are also willing to build more LNG ships.” Jiang Congming, general manager of Yichang Jinhang Shipping Co., Ltd.
Jiang Congming’s expectation is the common aspiration of almost all LNG ship enterprises under construction or reconstruction. Based on the situation reflected by various enterprises, it needs 22 million yuan to build a new 130 meter standard LNG ship, about 3 million more than a new pure diesel powered ship, and about 4 million yuan to rebuild a diesel powered ship. The funds for new construction and reconstruction are raised by the enterprise itself. It is the high investment cost that makes more Yangtze River shipping enterprises flinch and choose to wait and see.
It has become a consensus in the industry to solve technical problems and capital shortage as soon as possible. Many shipping enterprises reflect that they hope to introduce continuous and forward-looking subsidy policies to provide classified subsidies for new and reconstructed LNG powered ships. At the same time, accelerate the promotion and formulation of relevant technical standards for LNG powered ships, improve the technical level, safety and economy, and promote the healthy development of the Yangtze River shipping LNG application market.
the 14th five year plan ushered in a golden opportunity period
the promotion and application of Changjiang LNG is expected in the future
Whether it is the construction and application of LNG filling station or LNG ship, it is inseparable from LNG itself. For example, the fuel cost of “new Changjiang 26007” once accounted for more than 40% of the operating cost. Therefore, the difference in oil and gas prices is also a key factor affecting the confidence of enterprise subjects.
At present, the fluctuation range of oil and gas prices is relatively large, and the advantage of price difference is unstable. It is hoped that relevant government departments can make overall consideration and provide subsidies with reference to the price of industrial gas, so as to ensure that the LNG price is lower than the diesel price and improve the economy and initiative of shipping enterprises in using LNG. Suggestions from the relevant person in charge of Minsheng Shipping Co., Ltd.
In addition, some shipping enterprises also reflect that, as a special ship, the crew of LNG ship must undergo the training of liquefied gas fuel power plant ship and obtain the special training certificate. At present, there are few places where the training certificate can be issued on the Yangtze River trunk line. “There are two things we are worried about now. One is that the company has too few crew members with this certificate, there is no hope of changing shifts in turn, and the vacation is not guaranteed; the other is that the training has to go to Wuhan, and the travel expenses and accommodation expenses are a lot. I hope the local conditions for training and certification can also be provided to reduce the burden of crew members.” The crew of an LNG ship in Chongqing appealed.
With the gradual improvement of the filling station construction system and the gradual commencement of the construction of LNG ships, the industry has an increasing demand for seafarers with this special qualification certificate. We will also actively study the corresponding countermeasures to help the crew solve the problems reflected. The relevant personnel of the crew Department of Chongqing maritime safety administration responded.
This year is the first year of the 14th Five Year Plan period, and the promotion and application of LNG on the Yangtze River route has also made a good start. Combing the comprehensive transportation development plans of provinces and cities along the Yangtze River during the “14th five year plan”, it can be seen that in the next few years, the construction and promotion of LNG filling stations and ships will usher in a golden opportunity period, and the supporting policies and financial subsidies expected by enterprises will also be reflected to a certain extent.
The 14th five year plan for the development of comprehensive transportation in Hubei Province points out that it will promote the standardization and environmental protection of water transport ships, encourage the construction and reconstruction of LNG single fuel power ships, build pure electric cruise ships, and implement the upgrading project of water transport equipment focusing on “ship type R & D and technological innovation”.
The “14th five year plan” for the development of modern comprehensive transportation system in Hunan Province proposes to promote the carbon peak in the field of transportation, build shore power for 1000 ton and above ports and terminals, and add five or more LNG filling stations.
Chongqing Municipal Bureau of transportation attaches great importance to the green development of shipping. In the 14th Five Year Plan period, the construction of LNG terminals in Wanzhou and Fuling will be accelerated, and a number of ship LNG power transformation will be implemented. At the same time, make good use of the special fund policy for water transport development, and actively provide some financial support for the demonstration construction of clean energy powered ships such as LNG in conjunction with the municipal financial department. Introduced by the relevant person in charge of Chongqing Transportation Bureau.
(China water transport network)
