Table 2. Benchmarking of LNG bunkering solutions and their applications in Mediterranean ports.

Truck to Ship Ship to Ship Port to Ship Mobile fuel tanks
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.
Source: authors’ elaboration.