In 2021, the Port of Barcelona carried out 236 liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operations for ships. Although many of the ships that use this cleaner fuel—ferries and cruise ships—were affected by COVID-19, and LNG prices rose significantly during the last quarter of 2021, the volume handled by the Port of Barcelona was much higher than that recorded in 2019 and 2020.
In the case of cruise ships, although their activity did not resume until June, pre-pandemic levels have been surpassed. Four Carnival group cruise ships that regularly operate to the Port of Barcelona have carried out 18 LNG refueling operations. In December 2021, Costa Cruises' new Costa Toscana, which also uses LNG, began operating in Barcelona, and in the first quarter of this year, the Aida Cosma, which has just left the shipyard, will begin operations, increasing the number of cruise ships using this fuel.
The Port of Barcelona, which has specialized infrastructure and services for LNG, maintained its position as the leading LNG bunkering port in the Spanish and Mediterranean port system throughout 2021. LNG use in Barcelona is expected to continue growing thanks to the commissioning of a new supply vessel and shipping companies' commitment to cleaner fuels.
The Port of Barcelona offers a 50% discount on the T1 fee (paid by the ship when docking); an additional 30% discount if the ship uses LNG in its auxiliary engines or batteries while in port; and a further 10% discount if these cleaner fuels are used during the voyage from the last port of call to the Port of Barcelona. This discount will also apply when ships connect to the future electrical grid currently under development.
“We have set ourselves a goal, prominently outlined in our Fourth Strategic Plan: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and become a carbon-neutral port by 2050,” stated Damià Calvet, President of the Port of Barcelona. “We are working with the Port Community and shipping companies, promoting initiatives such as the electrification of docks, the generation of renewable energy within the port area, and the use of LNG as a transition fuel to move towards the implementation of zero-emission fuels in the port sector and maritime transport,” Calvet added.
