THE CNOOC Guangdong Dapeng LNG Terminal in Dapeng Bay has received a total of 3.38 million tons, or 4.9 billion cubic meters, of liquid natural gas (LNG) so far since October last year, up by 22 percent year on year, statistics from the Daya Bay Maritime Administration showed.

The Dapeng LNG terminal not only provides high-quality LNG to the cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Dongguan, Foshan and Hong Kong in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay area through pipelines but also to cities in the Bohai Bay area and North China through pipelines and marine transportation.

The demand for LNG has continued to rise in the most recent month due to the several rounds of cold snaps that affected most areas of the country.

To ensure efficient marine transportation, the maritime administration implemented instant approvals for vessels entering and leaving the terminal. Each vessel saves about 4 hours of waiting time at the terminal on average. For safety, each vessel that entered Shenzhen waters for loading and unloading went through strict supervision and escort.

Imported natural gas accounted for 60 percent of the total natural gas supply to Guangdong Province, and even up to 75 percent for Shenzhen.

The Shenzhen government, PetroChina, Shenzhen Gas Group and Yantian Port Group signed an agreement in June last year to jointly construct China’s first offshore LNG bunkering terminal at Yantian Port. Upon operation, the fuel center can provide 230,000 tons of LNG fuel to vessels each year and generate 1.2 billion yuan (US$185 million) in revenue. Over the long term, the fueling capacity will reach 200 tons a year, and annual production value will reach 10 billion yuan.

The construction of the fuel center will attract more LNG-fueled vessels to call at Chinese ports, build up Shenzhen’s port strength to be a green, intelligent sea port hub of the world and consolidate its position as an oceanic transportation center in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

(Han Ximin)