The plans for building and operating the two terminals in Hamburg and Bremerhaven, the future hubs of the German coastal LNG supply, have come to maturity. Currently, Bomin Linde LNG is finalising preparations to enable manufacturing of the key parts and prompt construction of the LNG facilities. The terminals will be installed on a modular basis and will have sufficient flexibility to quickly meet a rise in demand.

Starting from the strategic hubs Hamburg and Bremerhaven, neighbouring ports such as Kiel, Lübeck, Rostock or Wilhelmshaven can be reliably supplied with LNG. "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 (HPA).

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

Bomin Linde LNG is also able to provide liquefied natural gas for the marine industry beyond Germany's borders. For example, at the terminal in Nynäshamn next to Stockholm, Sweden, built by the Linde Group. Additionally, Bomin Linde LNG envisages supplying LNG at a new bunkering terminal in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, where the approval request has already been submitted to the authorities. Moreover, Bomin Linde LNG is considering several bunkering facilities at additional international ports to further expand the development of the LNG infrastructure.

Starting in 2015, sulphur emission limits for ships operating in North and Baltic Sea will be reduced drastically. LNG as a transport fuel will significantly reduce emissions of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particular matter and CO2. In view of declining natural gas prices compared to oil over the last few years, LNG has become an economically viable fuel alternative. 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.

About Bomin Linde LNG GmbH & Co. KG

Located in Hamburg, Germany, Bomin Linde LNG GmbH & Co. KG is a provider of liquefied natural gas as a fuel for the marine market. As a joint venture of Linde AG and Bomin Deutschland GmbH & Co., which is a subsidiary of Marquard & Bahls AG, Bomin Linde LNG has a broad range of expertise in refrigeration engineering, logistics and refuelling technology. The strategy of Bomin Linde LNG is to cover the complete LNG value chain – from sourcing and transport through storage and distribution to refuelling ships with LNG at strategically important ports.

About The Linde Group

The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 62,000 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2012 financial year, Linde generated revenue of EUR 15.280 bn. The strategy of the Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

Under the "Clean Technology by Linde" label, the company offers a wide range of products and technologies that help to render renewable energy sources financially viable, and significantly slow down the depletion of fossil resources or reduce the level of CO2 emitted. This ranges from specialty gases for solar module manufacturing, industrial-scale CO2 separation and application technologies to alternative fuels and energy carriers such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen.