LNG to replace diesel for inland navigation system

NEW DELHI: Seeking to reduce India's carbon footprints, the Centre has decided to switch over from diesel to relatively less polluting Liquefied Natural Gas ( LNG) as a fuel for vessels in the inland navigation system. The proposed new fleet of 80 vessels in Ganga is likely to be the first beneficiary of the move.

The idea is to reduce carbon emission with no additional operational cost as LNG has the potential to bring in savings to the tune of nearly 25 per cent in comparison to diesel.

"Unlike crude oil, LNG spills do not require any remediation of soil, ground water or surface water because it evaporates immediately and dissipates quickly into the atmosphere," said an official of the Inland Waterways Authority of India while talking about the decision which has got the nod of the shipping ministry.

Shipping minister Nitin Gadkari had recently said, "We will use LNG as a fuel for the next generation of vessels in the inland waterways. We want clean and affordable fuel for both protecting environment and bringing down the cost of transportation."


It is learnt that LNG will be first used in a big way in the Allahabad-Haldia stretch of Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hoogly river system. At present, big diesel-powered vessels are used in this stretch to transport coal from Haldia to Farakka for NTPC's thermal power plants.

Under the switchover plan, three distribution hubs - Varanasi, Sahebganj and Haldia - will be created. It will supply LNG to transportation (marine, railways and long haul trucking), industries and mining sectors.

The move is also significant in view of the government's recent decision to increase the number of national waterways from existing five to 111 as it will eventually increase the inland waterways traffic all over the country.

Since the Centre cannot invest to develop waterways until it's declared as national waterway, the shipping ministry had moved a bill to get umbrella clearance for another 106 waterways. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in the recently concluded winter session.

With state-owned Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) already contracting to import huge quantity of LNG from the United States over the next 20 years, the government is considering how the inland waterways can be used to take this clean fuel to interior areas.

Petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan had recently said his ministry and the shipping ministry will soon prepare a blue print for transportation of LNG to the hinterland.

According to some estimates, India's LNG requirement is expected to increase by 4 per cent annually. Increase in the number of national waterways will see more number of vessels in many rivers.

"Quite a few of these may, however, not be viable because of inadequate water-flow round the year. But once the bill becomes an Act, we can undertake feasibility studies to assess the possibilities," said a shipping ministry official.