Across Europe Liquefied natural gas (LNG) plays a huge role in energy security as the number of terminals across the continent increases. Importing LNG from all around the world lessens a country’s dependence on one or a few other countries for their gas supply. Ireland is a country heavily dependent on another country for its gas supply but the recent production of gas from the Corrib field, just off its coast, and the proposed Shannon LNG terminal would significantly diversify its gas suppliers and create greater energy security. This follows on from a number of other countries doing the same thing.

Signs suggest that the oil and gas industry in the UK is starting to show signs of optimism after two years of gloom. There was certainly a high demand for fuel over the winter and new exploration licences and significant oil field discoveries hint at the possibility of better times ahead, so much so that the Scottish Energy Minister believes the industry needs to be “future proofed” to ensure the success of this expansion.

In 2014, there were 47 ships running on liquid natural gas (LNG). By 2018 another 48 will have joined the fleet. LNG is a cleaner and cheaper alternative to other fuels, which would under most circumstances make it the top choice. However, problems with refuelling mean its use is not as widespread as expected. Currently, the only options for fuelling ships is through ship-to-ship fuelling or shore-to-ship fuelling, both of which present substantial drawbacks. But now Titan LNG, an LNG provider based in Amsterdam, is in the process of creating an alternative refuelling option in the form of an LNG bunkering pontoon.