Dutch maritime bio-LNG project receives €4.3m

Nordsol, Titan and Attero have received €4.3 million in funding for a bio-LNG production plant in the Netherlands that will supply fuel to the maritime industry.

The FirstBio2Shipping project located at the Attero facility in Wilp will help decarbonise maritime transport through scalable, decentralised production of bio-LNG. The plant is due to be completed in 2023 and will produce around 2,400 tons per year of bio-LNG.

The substantial funding is a ‘clear recognition’ by the EU of the vital role bio-LNG will play in decarbonising the maritime industry, the three companies said. As one of the first projects to receive funding from the Fit for 55 package, the FirstBio2Shipping project has also been recognised as practical, because it will supply into existing LNG fuelling infrastructure.

“Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in maritime transport is of critical importance, and with bio-LNG we can start today,” said Leon van Bossum, commercial director at Nordsol.

“With the FirstBio2Shipping project we take a first step in decarbonising the shipping sector with our highly scalable, decentralised bio-LNG plants. We look forward to realising this milestone project with our partners Titan and Attero.”

Attero will produce 6 million Nm³ of biogas annually from domestic biowaste for the FirstBio2Shipping project. The biogas is upgraded and liquefied into bio-LNG by Nordsol’s iLNG technology.

Under the partnership, Attero and Nordsol will produce 2,400 tons per year of high-purity bio-LNG and 5,000 tons per year of liquid bio-CO₂. Titan, the exclusive long-term offtaker, will supply the bio-LNG to the maritime sector to substitute fossil fuels. The produced bio-LNG will reduce GHG emissions by 92% compared to conventional maritime fuel.

Ronald van Selm, chief technology officer at Titan, commented: “This project is paramount in implementing our strategy of reaching carbon zero within the coming two decades.

“Furthermore, it builds upon Titan’s previous successful funding application called ‘Bio2Bunker’ that realises three additional bio-LNG bunker barges. Mature transport, storage, and bunkering infrastructure are not the only benefits of bio-LNG, it is also increasingly recognised as a sustainable option that can be ‘dropped in’ and blended with LNG at any ratio, with no changes required on board the vessels.”

Jan-Willem Steyvers, business developer at Attero, said by producing bio-LNG locally, traceability and transparency is ‘ensured’.

“Our bio-LNG will meet ISCC certification criteria,” said Steyvers. “The FirstBio2Shipping project will create more opportunities for local biogas upgrading plants, produces high-quality, sustainably sourced bio-LNG, and helps to decarbonise the maritime industry. It’s a no brainer.”