LNG Bunkering Technologies in Ports: An Empirical Application of the SWOT Analysis

Abstract

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a marine fuel constitutes a valuable technological solution for making the maritime and port industry more sustainable. However, the progressive diffusion of LNG requires huge investments for bunkering and storage facilities in the port domain to develop an LNG supply chain capable to satisfy the demand of LNG-propelled ships. Although this topic is attracting increasing attention from both academics and practitioners, no prior scientific contributions have provided a holistic and structured conceptual framework to disentangle the main pros and cons related to the diverse LNG bunkering and storage solutions. This study investigates the four most promising LNG bunkering technologies (i.e., Truck-to-Ship, Ship-to-Ship, Port-to-Ship and Terminal-to-Ship, and Mobile Fuel Tanks) by applying the SWOT analysis methodology to the Mediterranean port context. The analysis focuses on relevant technical and managerial, including storage capacity, bunkering efficiency, plant scalability, operational flexibility, economic and financial performances, social and environmental impacts. The outcomes unveil the managerial strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of each technological solution, feeding the academic debate on this topic. Moreover, the paper provides empirical implications for public authorities and port managers improving the knowledge concerning LNG bunkering and storage solutions available in the maritime and port domain.