The European Commission selected the CORE
LNGas hive initiative among the projects submitted for the 2014 Connect Europe
Facility (CEF) Transport Calls for the development of the Trans-European
Transport Networks, and will receive financial support of €16.5Mn from the
European Commission. The total investment in the project will amount to €33Mn.
The project led by Puertos del Estado and
coordinated by Enagás involves 42 partner entities in Spain and Portugal: 8
state-owned institutions, among which is DG Marina Mercante; 13 port
authorities; 21 industrial companies such as LNG operators, shipbuilders,
regasification companies and other companies. Its execution is planned to last
until 2020 and the institutional presence in the project aims to build on its developments
to put forward a National Policy Framework for LNG use as maritime fuel in
Spain. A total of 681 projects were submitted to this European tender, of which
263 were selected, among them CORE LNGas hive.
The aim of the project is to develop a safe
and efficient, integrated logistics and supply chain for LNG in the transport
industry, particularly for maritime transport of the Iberian Peninsula. It
involves 20 studies, to be conducted by the partner companies for adaptation of
infrastructure and logistical - commercial development in order to offer
small-scale supply services and bunkering.
In accordance with EU Directive 2014/94 on
the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (Clean Power for Transport),
this project will contribute to the decarbonisation of the Mediterranean and
Atlantic corridors. LNG is one of the most environmentally friendly fuels,
given that it generates about 30% fewer emissions of CO2 than oil.
Moreover, it reduces emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx), particulate
matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which will allow complying
with increasingly tight environmental regulation, particularly improving the
air quality of port environments.
With 8 regasification plants, the Iberian
Peninsula is geostrategically positioned and possesses LNG logistics know-how
key to the development of the project and the consolidation of the region's
leadership in this field.
The 42 beneficiaries of the project are: Enagás as the Coordinator;
Public Entities: Puertos del Estado, Dirección General de la Marina Mercante,
Ente Vasco de la Energía (EVE), Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA), Renfe
Mercancías, Sociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Marítima (SASEMAR), Universidad
Politécnica de Madrid y Universidade de Santiago de Compostela; 13 Port
Authorities: Bahía de Algeciras, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cartagena, Ferrol-San
Cibrao, Gijón, Huelva, Melilla, Santander, Tarragona, Tenerife, Valencia y
Vigo; 21 Industrial Companies: Astilleros Armón, Boluda Corporación Marítima,
Bureau Veritas, CEPSA, Flota Suardiaz, Fundación Valenciaport, Gas Natural
Fenosa, Guascor Power, HAM Criogénica, IDIADA Automotive Technology,
ITSAS Gas Bunker Supply, Molgas Energía, Reganosa, Remolcadores
Ibaizabal, REN Gasodutos, Saggas, Seaplace, Terminal Catalunya (BEST), Terminal
de Contenidors de Barcelona (TCB) and UTE Remolcadores Barcelona-SAR.