LNG volumes | Less than 200 m3 | Between 1,000 and 10,000 m3 | No limits in terms of volumes | Between 20 and 50 m3 per unit |
Speed of bunkering operations | 50 m3/h | 1000 m3/h | 2000 m3/h | 50 m3/h |
Advantages | ▪ High operational flexibility;▪ No infrastructure investment;▪ Low initial investment;▪ Reversibility. | ▪ SIMOPs (reducing ship turn-around time);▪ No use of dedicated port spaces;▪ Operational flexibility in terms of localization and LNG volumes handled. | ▪ High bunkering speed;▪ Operational flexibility;▪ Scalability of the overall capacity of the bunkering storage facilities. | ▪ Distribution capillarity;▪ No dedicated infrastructure investment;▪ Low initial investment; |
Disadvantage | •Low bunkering speed;•Small storage capacity;•Risks related to the absence of specialized technical staff;•High transport costs per m3 of LNG;•Presence of trucks on the quayside with consequent increased risks for people and cargo. | •High investment in bunker units (ships and barges);•High operating costs;•Risk of collisions between bunker units and ships or port infrastructure/superstructure;•Complexity in managing bunkering operations. | •Single port area for carrying out bunkering operations;•Impossibility of SIMOPs;•High investment in infrastructure and equipment;•Occupation of large port areas. | •Low storage capacity;•High risk of transport and handling of LNG tanks;•Investment in specific cranes for handling the tanks. |
Port applications | ▪ Ports characterized by low LNG bunkering demand;▪ Start-up of LNG bunkering services;▪ Ports with multiple terminals that require the movement of bunkering facilities;▪ Ports not served by the LNG supply network. | ▪ Ports with mixed traffic (inland and seagoing ships);▪ Ports with large watery mirror;▪ Ports not particularly prone to adverse weather conditions | ▪ Medium- or large ports;▪ Ports characterized by a high frequency of LNG bunkering operations;▪ Ports with stable or easily predictable LNG maritime demand. | ▪ Ports characterized by low maritime LNG bunkering demand;▪ Start-up of LNG bunkering services;▪ Ports called by numerous container shipping companies. |