the addressable market for us (stationary storage such as batteries and mobility) will be about ₹5,000 crore. The charging service combines physical components such as charging stations, swap stations, on board charges, telematics systems and the virtual components like cloud service, analytics, intuitive dashboard, and artificial intelligence to deliver one-stop solution. In the last four-five years, the company has invested ₹50 crore towards development and testing of the EV charging infrastructure, Atul Arya, Panasonic’s Head of Energy Systems Division said. In the first phase, Panasonic has partnered with electric mobility service providers–SmartE and qQuick, wherein the consumer durables company will deploy EV charging service on 150 SmartE electric three-wheelers and on 25 qQuick two-wheelers in the Delhi and national capital region. “The solution is poised to help individual EV users, EV fleet owners, e-commerce & logistics companies to manage their fleet more efficiently and also the utility providers, vehicle, equipment and battery manufacturers to understand the user patterns and calibrate the products and services accordingly,” the company said in a statement. “We have currently deployed our solutions in Delhi NCR and aim to expand the offerings to Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Amaravati in the next three years and 25 more cities in the next five years targeting approximately 1 million vehicles,” Arya said.

Source: Mint

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It has already attracted more than $100 million in funding and employs over 300 people, bringing together a wealth of experience and expertise from across the world. It has tested the prototype of its five-seater electric air taxi.  The jet is powered by 36 electric engines which gives the range of 300KM with top speed of 300Km/hour. The company claims it consumes the same amount of energy similar to an electric car with a similar distance. This jet takes-off vertically and then transition into horizontal flight  like any other flight and while landing it comes to vertical again. While traditional airplanes depend on the control surfaces such a tail and rudder, whereas the Lilium jet is without tail and rudder, this kind of design makes it safer and affordable. The feature of this  airplane fixed-wing designmakes it more efficient . By 2025, the start-up wants to be fully operational in cities around the world.

Source: ElectricVehicles.in

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The bidder provides the buses along with a driver and KSRTC will keep its own conductor in a wet lease and in a dry lease KSRTC will deploy the driver and the conductor and the bidder will only provide the bus. KSRTC can choose any option or can also go with the combination of both. The electric busmust function 250 kilometers on a single charge and should not be more than 6 months old during the supply of it to KSRTC. The bus must give a mileage of about 1.5 Kwh/Km and delivery of buses must start within 45 days of contract start date. The guarantee for the buses is to be given by the bidders that it gives a range of 250 Km on a single charge at 80%.

If the given range is not maintained or it is less than 95% the bidder must look into the issue immediately and take corrective action. Recently Goa and Delhi also issued tenders for electric buses.

Source: electricVehicles.in

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Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), India’s largest oil and gas producer, had last fiscal acquired Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), the government-owned fuel retailer at a cost of Rs 36,915 crore. While, the acquisition helped the government meet its disinvestment target for the fiscal, it impacted the oil explorer’s working capital and cash reserves during the fiscal. Also, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) had to face the ire of the consumers when they had last year initiated a 19-day price freeze on petrol and diesel before the Karnataka elections. The government had during its previous tenure revamped oil and gas bidding framework and the oil and gas exploration policy. The new bidding frame-work allowed companies to carve out their own blocks and allowed all forms of hydrocarbon extraction under a single license. Also, the HELP frame-work replaced the then prevalent fiscal system of production sharing based on Investment Multiple and cost recovery or production linked payment with revenue sharing model. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has awarded licenses for setting up city gas distribution networks in 136 geographical areas in the past year which is expected to expand the network of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations in the country to 10,000 from the current 1,500 and piped natural gas (PNG) connections to household kitchens to five crore from around five lakh currently. PNGRB Chairman D K Sarraf had in March said around Rs 70,000 crore investment was committed in 86 GAs awarded in the 9th city gas bid round in August last year while additional Rs 50,000 crore was committed in the 50 GAs awarded in the 10th round this year. The government has also released 7.19 crore LPG connections under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) so far. Commenting on the results of the just concluded general elections, Pramod Chaudhari, chairman at Praj Industries said. “I expect the new government to take up economic stimulus and growth as a priority agenda. As a result of the prevailing geopolitical situation, there is a sense of skepticism, especially owing to the rise in crude oil prices and flagging trade wars. New Government should de-bottleneck and accelerate the implementation of progressive Bio-fuels policy.” Pramod Chaudhari, chairman at Praj Industries said the government should oversee fulfilment of ethanol blending mandate of 10% and eco-system development to set up Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plants. In a bid to reduce reliance on conventional fuels, increase farmers’ income and propel the use of bio-fuels in the country, the pil ministry had last year launched a new scheme and announced the new bio-fuel policy. The scheme aims at rolling out 5,000 Compressed Bio-Gas plants in a phased manner, with 250 plants by the year 2020, 1,000 plants by 2022 and 5,000 plants by 2025, at an investment of around Rs 1.7 lakh crore.

https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/oil-and-gas/re-election-of-nda-will-be-credit-neutral-for-oil-and-gas-sector-icra/69467244[Edited]

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The power ministry is expected to approach the union cabinet to get approval in the next 100 days for a subsidy mechanism to revive gas-based power projects, a senior government official said. The country has nearly 25,000 megawatts of operational gasbased capacity, all of which is stressed because of the unavailability of fuel. In its first 100 days in office, the government will also target to set up public charging stations for electric vehicles in Delhi, Gurgaon, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Battery swapping and charging stations for e-rickshaws are also planned to be set up in the National Capital Region. Cabinet approval is likely to be sought for a pilot project to make power plants more energy efficient by using advanced ultra-super critical technology. As per the plan to revive gas-based power plants, the ministry is considering a gas auction mechanism, by pooling domestically produced gas with LNG and subsidising the tariffs, an official said. The scheme is proposed to be run for two years starting this year. It will be similar to the one run between 2015-16 and 2016-17 with financial support from the Power System Development Fund. The government is also considering allowing gas-based power plants to sell electricity generated under the proposed subsidy scheme in the spot market. The power and oil ministries are readying a scheme to electronically auction imported and RNLG as per the recommendations of a committee headed by cabinet secretary PK Sinha. In its last cabinet meeting in March, the outgoing government had allowed power plants to sell in the short-term market electricity generated from coal supplied by state-run Coal India.In the previous rounds, the government had subsidised the tariffs at ₹5.50 per unit.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/gas-based-plants-revival-ev-infra-on-priority-list-of-government-in-second-

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Yet, there’s crying need for sustained reforms in the energy economy, to shore up energy efficiency, revamp market design and modernise taxation across the board in oil, power et al. Per-capita energy consumption nationally is low, barely a third of the global average. We need a thriving market for power, so as to boost efficiency in generation and consumption, improve quality, and also bring about competitive prices. The power sector remains riddled with populism and political patronage of theft. Almost a third of the revenues in power distribution are routinely lost. The moribund finances of state power utilities stymie investment to raise efficiency in generation and supply. There are glaring rigidities in oil too. We remain much too dependent on tax revenues from oil products, both at the Centre and in the states, never mind a techno-economic paradigm shift in the offing, in favour of electric vehicles and public transport, away from oil-fuelled transport. Further, the continuing tax-on-tax regime for the main petroleum products disfavours improved logistics in a large country. Oil products and electricity must be brought into the goods and services tax regime, although the world over there are limited tax set-offs across the value chain for oil products. In tandem, transparency in state power utility finances brooks no delay. Town planning to minimise commutes, prioritising public transport and e-vehicles, developing clean coal technology and boosting coal supply, along with R&D in carbon capture these must figure in the next government’s roadmap for energy sector reforms.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/managing-soaring-energy-demand/

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Those visiting the Taj Mahal may now compulsorily have to use “shoe covers” to enter the main mausoleum to keep dust away from the iconic seventh century monument, which is facing structural erosion due to pollution and alleged neglect. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has submitted a host of such measures as part of a “Site Management Plan” to the Supreme Court, in pursuance of its order earlier this year, for conserving the Taj Mahal. The plan recommends a comprehensive switch to CNG fuel in Agra, strict enforcement of vehicle pollution norms and steps to prevent fine dust from the construction of the Metro, among other measures. It recommended “a complete ban on burning of bio mass/municipal waste. Battery and CNG operated vehicles should be encouraged. All public transport running in the city should be CNG-based or battery-operated”. The ASI also proposed measures to encourage plantation in the city’s open areas and strict implementation of the National Building Code for construction-related activities. It suggested scientific treatment and cleaning of the replica graves and surrounding walls inside the mausoleum. The survey also suggested that “all buildings and gardens within the complex need to be regularly maintained to ensure its good state of preservation”. It further said that alternate queuing systems and differential ticketing systems must be used and extra security personnel be deployed at various locations to cater to the high footfall. “An approximate additional deployment of 45-50 security personnel is required on site,” the plan said. It also recommended that “use of electric crematorium should be encouraged” and the diesel engines used in trains be phased out. To prevent dust from spreading, it recommended “mechanical and wet cleaning of roads” within 5-km radius of the monument.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/in-asi-plan-to-conserve-taj-mahal-shoe-covers-switch-to-cng-in-agra-5730067/

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The committee was formed to discuss research-related synergies and tax issues for state-run oil companies. The committee also explored the possibility of forming a new entity for oil services and related manpower. “It also explored the need and possibility of formation of new entity dealing with oil services and supply of qualified manpower to oil and gas sector around the world,” the ministry said in its statement. The committee consisted of Anil Kakodkar (scientist) and Sidharth Pradhan, an expert on financial and tax issues. “They also looked into mergers, acquisitions and consolidation of oil and gas public sector undertakings (PSUs) and the joint ventures,” the ministry said in a press statement. The ministry, in its statement, further said that the committee has recommended short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies in the report to help reduce the import dependency of the nation. The ministry also added research and development (R&D) is going to play an important role in the process to reduce import dependency. Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas will consider the recommendations submitted by the Committee while formulating policies in the said matter,” the statement further added.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/high-level-committee-submit-strategies-on-reducing-import-oil-ministry-119052101371_1.html

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There are some gas fields where gas production can be started if a better price is offered to them. To boost domestic production of natural gas, the committee has recommended a more remunerative price for (both new and existing) marginal/deep sea gas discoveries,” Anil Kakodkar, an eminent scientist and one of the two members of the committee, told BusinessLine. The recommendation is significant as  at present only new difficult discoveries have been allowed a higher price of natural gas by the Ministry. The committee recommendation covers those discoveries that have been awarded under the New Exploration Licence Policy (NELP) and pre-NELP regimes.  “The committee has also recommended increasing the use of bio mass, essentially surplus agricultural residue, for harnessing bio fuels. We have also recommended seeking more means for developing bio crude, bio fuels and bio gas…The committee has made major recommendations to accelerate domestic research to commercialise indigenous resources to enhance hydrocarbon supply,” Kakodkar added. An official statement said  the committee has clearly brought out the strategy to reduce the import dependency of the nation in the report and has recommended short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas will consider the recommendations submitted by the committee while formulating policies to bring down imports, the statement added.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/high-level-committee-submits-recommendations-to-reduce-crude-oil-import/article27196130.ece

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Oil majors Shell and BP each offered a July loading cargo at $4.60-$4.65/MMBtu on Wednesday in Platts market on close (MOC) window, at a price well below the $5.35/MMBtu levels seen last Friday, they added.

 A large tender by Egypt to sell up to 13 cargoes, as well as several sell tenders by Indonesia’s Pertamina, Angola and Australia are also weighing on the market, sources said.

https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/oil-and-gas/asia-lng-spot-price-drops-below-5/mmbtu-as-supply-floods-market/69454157

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There is no new discovery of gas fields in the Philippines yet, and Malampaya is expected to start producing less fuel by the mid-2020s.First Gen currently operates four gas-fed power plants with an aggregate capacity of about 2,000 megawatts, including the 1,000-MW Santa Rita, 500-MW San Lorenzo, 414-MW San Gabriel and 97-MW Avion — all of which sit adjacent to the LNG project site.The two-phase LNG project will have two storage tanks with capacities of 5 million tons yearly and 2 mtpa.This will be Tokyo Gas’ first such facility outside Japan.The company on Monday led a “kagami biraki” ceremony — a traditional Japanese rite performed when celebrating New Year as well as when embarking on new endeavors

https://business.inquirer.net/271462/first-gen-tokyo-gas-kick-off-lng-terminal-project

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State energy firm YPF is believed to be offering a partial LNG cargo from FLNG Tango, the liquefaction vessel off Bahia Blanco, two LNG trading sources said on Monday. One source said the cargo was on a free-on-board (FOB) basis for prompt loading. FLNG Tango, owned by Belgian shipping company Exmar , arrived in Bahia Blanca in February.

Argentina will become the 21st country to export LNG. It has long bought LNG, alongside buying pipeline gas from neighbouring countries and producing its own, to boost supplies especially during winter. But rising output from Vaca Muerta, one of the world’s largest reserves of shale oil and gas, helped it reduce LNG imports by over 20% last year to 2.6 MMT, according to industry group GIIGNL. The new exports do not mean Argentina will cease importing LNG; energy firm Integracion Energetica Argentina (IEASA), formerly known as ENARSA, has issued buy tenders for LNG cargoes for delivery throughout May to September. The country needs billions of dollars in investment into the construction of pipelines, storage terminals and other energy infrastructure to fully benefit from its shale resources. In many countries with a fast-developing energy industry, bottlenecks and price moves can mean that some regions are left energy poor while others export. Major LNG exporter Australia, for example, is seeking to import LNG soon.

Source: LNG Global

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Long-term contracts with Total, Novatek, PetroChina, Gazprom and Naturgy were expected to absorb Yamal LNG volumes, but there is still part of the plant’s 16.5 MMTPA production available for spot trade. This year up to about 8.7 MMT of spot LNG out of the 16.5 MMTPA total is being traded from the project – spread between the project’s equity shareholders Novatek, PetroChina and Total – according to Reuters calculations. The high spot volumes from Yamal are adding to oversupply in the global LNG market, with high spot volumes from other projects around the world. Spot volumes sold by Novatek, which has a 60% share of volumes not locked in to long-term contracts from Yamal, are expected to rise above 5 MMTPA from less than 4 MMT last year, a source familiar with the matter said. PetroChina and Total, which each hold 20% stakes, both have about 1.74 MMT available to sell on the spot market. PetroChina was the last company to start its long-term contract, for 3 MMT of LNG for delivery to China. The first cargo is on its way and 11 more will be shipped to China as part of the contract this year. Gazprom, Novatek and Naturgy are expected to take their full contracted volumes from next year, market sources said. Competing for buyers amid growing supply from the United States, some Yamal sellers have already found takers for their spot volumes. Up to 85% of Novatek’s spot cargoes have already been sold this year. The majority are destined for Europe, with some heading for Asia and India. Novatek has also sold some cargoes for 2020 delivery. With tight price spreads between Europe and Asia, the majority of spot Yamal cargoes could continue to be delivered to Europe, as has been the case over the past six months. However, the Northern Sea Route, which allows quicker shipments of Yamal volumes directly to Asia, rather than via Europe, is expected to reopen in the last week of June, a source close to the matter said. This will allow some of the volumes to find a home in Asia. Novatek will ship its first cargo via the Northern Sea Route in August, another source said. Total could also send some of its cargoes east this summer, having sent cargoes to Europe so far this year, another source said.

https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/yamal-lng-spot-volumes-on-the-rise-adding-to-oversupply/

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Some Chinese LNG buyers have approached suppliers about trading the U.S. cargoes, which they’ve already committed to buy, for shipments from non-tariff nations, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the information isn’t public. While China’s imports of American gas have dropped since it slapped a 10% duty on the fuel in September, pressure is mounting to completely avoid the cargoes after Beijing said it would boost the tariff to 25% starting June 1. The trade war has derailed what should be a natural partnership, as the U.S. vies to become the world’s top exporter of LNG and China is on track to become the largest buyer. While cheap shale gas had helped U.S. exporters undercut other sellers that are nearer to China, the bigger tariff makes American LNG uncompetitive and has discouraged long-term partnerships. China has imported four LNG cargoes from the U.S. so far this year, down about 80% from the same period last year, according to vessel tracking data. That compares with a 21% jump in total LNG imports during the first quarter.
Almost all of China’s imports of U.S. LNG are received at terminals owned and operated by state giants China National Petroleum Corp., China National Offshore Oil Corp. and Sinopec Group. The companies are China’s biggest LNG buyers, and their terminals are also accessible to smaller independent buyers, including ENN Group and Beijing Gas Group. CNPC, the parent company of PetroChina Co., is the only Chinese firm with a long-term off-take agreement from a U.S. project. CNOOC has a long-term contract with Total SA, which sources cargoes from the U.S. None of the companies replied to requests for comment.

Source: LNG Global

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Temperatures across North Asia this summer will be cooler than a year ago, according to seven meteorologists surveyed by Bloomberg. This suggests the record heat in Japan and South Korea, which triggered a buying frenzy and catapulted prices to the highest since 2014, is unlikely to be repeated. LNG prices in Asia have slumped about 40% so far this year as the three biggest consumers — Japan, China and South Korea — have slowed spot buying after a mild winter and amid brimming stockpiles. Meanwhile, new projects from Australia to the U.S. have left the market amply supplied. While forecasters were split on whether temperatures in North Asia would be above or below historical averages, the overall expectations are that they will be milder and less volatile than last summer, which saw a price spike in June. A cooler-than-normal summer could also push spot prices in Asia down to parity or even a discount to Europe, reversing their typical premium, according to Robert Sims, an analyst at Wood Mackenzie Ltd. “We expect the real recovery will need to wait until winter this year,” Sims said by email.

Japan and South Korea recorded their hottest days ever last year. Temperatures peaked at 41.1 degrees Celsius (106 Fahrenheit) in Kumagaya, a city north of Tokyo, and 40.7 degrees in the northeastern South Korea town of Hongcheon. Meanwhile, the escalating trade war between the U.S. and China could be a wildcard for prices in Asia. Beijing said Monday it will boost sanctions on American LNG imports to 25 percent from June 1, which could lead to Chinese players seeking to swap or sell cargoes. Forecasters were asked by Bloomberg News in an email survey how they expected the weather in North Asia to fare this summer against both last year and historical averages.

Source: LNG Global

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China announced on Monday, May 13, that it will raise the duty on imports of US LNG to 25% from the previous level of 10% in retaliation to the US increasing its tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. Rystad Energy forecasts that Chinese LNG demand will reach 95 MMTPA in 2025, up from 53 MMTPA in 2018. This would make China the world’s largest LNG importer. The US, on the other hand, is the fastest growing LNG exporter thanks to strong Asian and Chinese demand. Rystad Energy expects that US export volumes will nearly quadruple over the coming years, reaching 84 MMTPA by 2025 based on currently sanctioned projects. However, the increased tariffs will create additional headwinds for US LNG projects that are currently awaiting final investment decisions (FIDs). Rystad Energy has noted previously that if LNG prices continue to linger around their current low level for an extended period of time, some of the more expensive LNG projects could struggle to offer competitive terms to buyers – and this could result in FID deferrals.“Most of these projects need to secure long-term contracts in order to get financing for their development. Rystad Energy expects China to be one of the biggest contributors in sponsoring new LNG projects over the coming years, and there will be a reluctance to signing new deals with US projects as long as this trade war persists,” said Sindre Knutsson, Senior Analyst at Rystad Energy’s Gas Markets team. “For example, Cheniere and Sinopec agreed late last year on a 20-year deal that would supply 2 MMTPA of LNG to China starting in 2023. This deal could have been signed once the trade tensions were resolved, but due to the heightened tensions this has not happened.” China’s decision to impose tariffs on US LNG will make LNG projects outside of the US more attractive. As illustrated in the figure below, so-called oil-indexed gas contracts are more common in countries such as Australia, Qatar, Mozambique and Papua New Guinea compared to the US, where indexing to the Henry Hub price is more prevalent.“This means that non-US projects are more competitive in terms of breakeven price (delivered), and that China therefore could have greater bargaining power when negotiating new contracts,” Knutsson remarked.Commenting on the short-term outlook for the global gas market, Per Magnus Nysveen, Rystad Energy Head of Analysis, said: “US LNG export to China is already seriously affected by the 10% tariffs in effect from last year, and we expect it continue to be so as long as the tariff is imposed.”

https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/trade-war-leaves-lng-projects-vulnerable/

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said production was attained three days after the Petronas FLNG (PFLNG) Satu facility achieved first gas. Petronas had earlier said in March it relocated the PFLNG Satu to the Kebabangan cluster field in Sabah, some 90 km northwest of the state’s capital city of Kota Kinabalu. The facility was previously moored in the Kumang cluster field off the coast of Bintulu in neighboring Sarawak, where it began the world’s first LNG production from a floating platform in 2017. Petronas also said last month that it expects to have its second floating LNG facility in Malaysia ready by the first quarter of next year.

Source: LNG Global

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LTW will continue the initiative started by Uniper, to realise the first LNG import terminal in Germany at the present location. In order to take part in this Open Season process, interested parties are being asked to hand in a written expression of interest signed by their management, demonstrating that the party is already active on the market for LNG or intends to do so in the future. After having concluded a non-disclosure agreement, LTW will grant access to further details of the project. Afterwards, the participants can conclude a still non-binding Heads of Agreement (HoA) with LTW until the 19 July 2019. The conclusion of binding contracts is currently planned for mid-October 2019. Within the next three years, LTW plans to construct an LNG terminal at Germany’s only deepwater port location and start operations. It is designed as a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), a technology which can be realised most economically and quickly. The nominal send-out capacity of LNG will be up to 10 billion m3 per year. The Wilhelmshaven location offers ideal conditions from both marine and logistics perspective. Connecting it to the natural gas transmission grid only requires a roughly 30 km pipeline to be built in mainly agricultural setting. LNG tankers will be able to access the facility independently of tides, in accordance with highest international security standards. Alongside regasification and injection into the transmission grid, the FSRU shall offer the possibility for loading LNG onto bunker barges or tank trucks for road transport. By doing so, the Wilhelmshaven terminal can indirectly contribute to emissions reduction in shipping and heavy-duty transport by making LNG locally available.

https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/21052019/open-season-process-for-lng-terminal-project-in-wilhelmshaven-begins/

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Arthur project in Texas, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The terms of the deal could not be determined and it was not clear if Aramco would also take an equity stake in the project, WSJ said. It is unclear if the LNG will be used to power Saudi Arabia’s local economy, or sold to international buyers, according to the report. Aramco and Sempra did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment on the WSJ report. Aramco had been pushing its conventional and unconventional gas exploration and production programme to feed its fast growing industries, as the company planned to increase gas output and become an exporter. In the recent months, Aramco has been looking at gas assets in Russia, Australia and Africa.

https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/oil-and-gas/saudi-arabia-to-buy-u-s-lng-from-sempra-energys-port-arthur-project/69437847

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The gas price will be oil-linked. EnergyAustralia is the first customer to sign up for gas from the proposed facility which intends to moor a floating storage and regasification unit at Port Kembla, located about 100 km south of Sydney in New South Wales. Several similar deals are needed for the project to reach fruition. AIE is a joint venture comprising JERA and Marubeni Corp. of Japan and Australian mining entrepreneur Andrew Forrest’s Squadron Energy. AIE is endeavoring to secure base customers before making a final investment decision for the project. The Port Kembla terminal, estimated to cost A$250 million to establish, plans to import about 2 MMT of LNG per year for regasification and onward supply into the New South Wales domestic pipeline grid. The Port Kembla terminal is one of five proposed LNG import terminals around southeast Australia planned to help meet a perceived looming gas shortage in the region.

https://www.ogj.com/articles/2019/05/energyaustralia-agrees-to-buy-gas-from-port-kembla-lng-facility.html

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it didn’t. Rates summarily collapsed back to around the break-even level of $40,000 per day in February-April 2019. Rates are now back in the mid- to upper-$50,000 range per day, up around 40 percent over the past three weeks off a low base. A number of large-scale LNG export projects are about to come online, so the upward trend should continue. Project debuts bolster spot rates in two ways. First, by bringing more volume to the water. Second, by reducing the number of ships available for spot employment. Often, LNG export projects start-ups are delayed. If ships ordered to service those projects via long-term time charters are delivered by the shipyards before project construction is finished, the ships temporarily move into the spot market, weighing down rates. When the ships begin their normal long-term service, spot rate pressure subsides. LNG spot rates are still relatively low, more ‘not bad’ than good. It’s too early to say whether they can attain last year’s peak, and there’s still a fair amount of skepticism about 2019 – and even more concerns about the years ahead as more newbuilding vessels enter the market.

https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/shipping-rates-rising-off-bottom-still-far-from-recovery/

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“The global shift to cleaner fuels serves U.S. interests, both economic and environmental,” the paper notes. “Advance regulatory notice, planning and investment, and technology and operational adjustment will help achieve IMO 2020 goals with minimal and temporary economic impact.” IMO 2020 will reduce the maximum sulfur content in marine fuels from 3.5% to 0.5%. With the United States already producing and using fuel that is five times more stringent, IMO 2020 will bring the rest of the world more in line with American standards. To achieve compliance, shippers can either install emissions-control devices known as “scrubbers” or exchange their high-sulfur fuel for a low-sulfur alternative such as liquefied natural gas or light, sweet crude—both of which are widely produced in the United States. “U.S. industry is prepared to provide advanced fuels and technologies to achieve IMO 2020 standards, at a competitive advantage,” the paper states. “The U.S. refining industry invested more than $100 billion over the past decade to meet growing demand for middle distillates used by freight transportation and to provide cleaner fuels, including ultra-low sulfur diesel and IMO 2020 compliant marine fuels.” The IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee 74th annual meeting is currently taking place in London. Thus far during the meeting, IMO officials, echoing earlier comments from the U.S. Coast Guard, have stated that IMO 2020 standards will be enforced as planned. The Coalition for American Energy Security launched earlier this year to educate policymakers on the benefits IMO 2020 offers to American energy security and competitiveness. Members of the coalition include, among others, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, the World Shipping Council, the United Steel Workers, the American Petroleum Institute, the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, American Exploration and Production Council, and several state oil and gas associations.

https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/study-concludes-imo-2020-promotes-u-s-energy-security-trade-and-the-environment/

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The ships are being built for China Oilfield Services Co Ltd (COSL) at the Wuchang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry yard and the Liaonan Shipyard in China.

Among the value-adding advantages cited in choosing the Wärtsilä 20DF engine were its high fuel efficiency, low operating costs and good environmental performance, as well as its low-load operating ability and proven reliability and durability. The order with Wärtsilä was signed in March 2019 and the 40 engines are scheduled to be delivered to the shipyards at the end of 2019. “Efficiency and environmental sustainability are key pillars of Wärtsilä’s approach to creating customer value. The choice of the Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuelled engine for this major project reflects these values, and we are proud to maintain our leading position in this market by being selected for China’s first LNG fueled PSVs,” said Henrik Wilhelms, Segment Sales Director, Wärtsilä Marine. “More and more ships are being built for use with LNG fuel, and we see these 12 ships as part of a trend that will continue to grow. This is why we chose Wärtsilä, a company with experience and know-how in LNG fuel solutions,” commented Liu Hui, Manager of COSL Shipping’s Shipbuilding Project Management Team.

https://www.ngvjournal.com/s1-news/c7-lng-h2-blends/chinas-first-fleet-of-lng-powered-psvs-will-feature-wartsila-dual-fuel-engines/

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Buquebus, and will operate between Argentina and Uruguay. It will be the ninth vessel for Incat’s valued South American customer.The new Buquebus ship, Incat hull 096, is predicted to have a maximum speed of over 40 knots. It will be powered by four dual fuel engines that will burn environmentally friendly LNG while in service in the Río de la Plata.Work is underway on design and engineering, the physical construction will commence as soon as the detail design drawings are completed and approved by the customer. At a probable 13,000 gross registered tons, the LNG-powered vessel will carry 2,100 passengers and 220 cars.Incat shipyard currently has confirmed orders covering the next four years with high expectations of other large vessel orders. The workforce now totaling over 600 will be expanded to facilitate the construction of the new vessels in Incat’s order book.In 2014, Buquebus put into operation its first LNG-powered ferry, Francisco, also built by the Australian shipyard.

https://www.ngvjournal.com/s1-news/c7-lng-h2-blends/worlds-largest-aluminum-ship-will-run-on-lng-between-argentina-uruguay/

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