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Bomin Linde LNG - a joint venture between Linde AG and bunker supply firm Bomin Deutschland GmbH & Co. - has confirmed that it has submitted plans to develop an LNG bunkering terminal in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The Hamburg-based firm says it has submitted an approval request to the local authorities to launch an LNG bunker supply facility at Rotterdam, Europe's largest bunkering port. Moreover, Bomin Linde LNG has confirmed that it is also considering several bunkering facilities at additional international ports to further expand the development of its LNG infrastructure.

Bomin Linde LNG's future LNG bunkering strategy was revealed in a statement confirming the completion of its plans to build and operate two LNG terminals in Hamburg and Bremerhaven that the company says will become "the future hubs of the German coastal LNG supply".

Bomin Linde LNG said it is finalizing preparations to enable the manufacture of the key parts and prompt construction of the two LNG facilities in Germany. The terminals will be installed on a modular basis and will be designed to have sufficient flexibility to quickly meet a rise in demand.

According to the plan, neighbouring ports such as Kiel, Lübeck, Rostock or Wilhelmshaven will also be supplied with LNG from the strategic hubs Hamburg and Bremerhaven.

"We are fully on track with the projects and will be able to provide ships in all German ports along the North and Baltic Sea with LNG as a clean fuel," said Bomin Linde LNG Managing Director Ruben Benders. "This is an important step to establishing LNG as a marine fuel," added Mahinde Abeynaike, also Managing Director of Bomin Linde LNG. "The shipping industry needs secured supply of LNG at ports. This is crucial for the success of this economically attractive and green fuel."

"An LNG terminal in Hamburg is key for the long term sustainability of the port - both from an economic and ecological point of view. As a part of our strategic reorientation 'smartPORT Energy', it will support the reduction of air pollutants and carbon dioxide emissions," said Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority.

Robert Howe, Managing Director at Bremenports, commented: "The LNG bunkering terminal in Bremerhaven consequently creates the necessary infrastructure for the protection of the maritime environment in line with the 'green ports' strategy and the fulfilment of the SECA (sulphur emission control areas) requirements."

Last year, Linde Group was commissioned by Norway-based Skangass AS to build a mid-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Lysekil, located on the west coast of Sweden, approximately 100 kilometres north of Gothenburg.

The mid-scale LNG plant at Risavika near Stavanger, Norway, was also built for Skangass by Linde. It started operations in 2010.

The LNG terminal in Nynäshamn, Sweden, was designed and constructed by the Linde Group and completed in 2011.

Starting in 2015, stricter sulphur emission limits for ships operating in the North and Baltic Sea will be implemented. LNG as a transport fuel would significantly reduce emissions of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and carbon dioxide.

Based on a recent survey of HSH Nordbank, approximately one in five ship owners is planning to either retrofit his fleet with LNG propulsion or order new vessels that run on LNG.