Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and local natural gas producer FortisBC are currently studying options to develop a LNG marine bunkering terminal at the port to cater the growing demand for cleaner marine fuels in the coming years.
The facility would be the first ship-to-ship LNG marine bunkering service facility on the west coast of North America.
A study completed by PWC and commissioned by FortisBC, estimates an LNG bunkering facility would take five years to build and it would have an annual economic impact of $930m once operational.
FortisBC currently operates a LNG facility on Tilbury Island in the Fraser River, which already provide bunker for five B.C ferry vessels and two Seaspan cargo ferries.
The proposal has been supported by the British Columbia province government.
“It is expected that LNG-powered ships – specifically container, car carrier and cruise vessels – could begin calling in Vancouver as early as 2020, and global demand is expected to exceed nine million tonnes of LNG annually by 2025. B.C. should be ready to get some of that business,” said Bruce Ralston, B.C’s minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology.
