Rotterdam LNG bunkering demand soars

Europe’s largest bunkering port is reaping the rewards of exponential growth in LNG fuelling

Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, has more than trebled LNG bunkering volumes in the first half of the year, defying the coronavirus-induced economic slowdown that has hit its main cargo activities. Demand for cleaner marine fuels has risen sharply since the start of the year, when International Maritime Organization rules came into force restricting its sulphur content to 0.5pc. LNG bunkering volumes at Rotterdam rose to 93,713m³ in the first half of 2020, up from 26,146m³ moved over the same period last year, port data shows. This year’s six-month volumes are already 30pc above sales for 2019 as a whole. By comparison, total cargo throughput—the port’s bread-and-butter business—fell by 9.1