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FISHING companies in Norway have been looking at the possibility of using natural gas as a fuel for their trawlers.
But there will be no immediate rush to convert their boats as the price of liquid gas in Norway is high - and higher than in many other parts of the world.
However, if prices do ease the Norwegian Fishing Vessel Owners Association believes it could become a real and environmentally better alternative to diesel fuel.
The Norwegian government has already said it would like to see both merchant and fishing vessels start to use gas for environmental reasons and because Norway has plenty of the stuff.
The environmental advantages are that it has no sulphur emission and emissions of harmful nitrogen oxide are reduced by between 80 and 90 per cent, along with a 15 per cent reduction in CO2.
The trawler owners agree about the positive effect on greenhouse gases, but have told the government that if liquid gas is to become a competitive alternative oil, sufficient ships must start to use it and there must be improved refuelling facilities at the various fishing ports. There could also be problems if their boats have to put into foreign ports where gas refuelling points probably don't exist at present.
But price remains the largest obstacle and the owners say it is too expensive at present. One company has already made a comparison and has worked out that on last year's prices it would cost it around 15 per cent more if it switched to gas.
The owners have said that they are environmentally conscious, but argue there is a limit as to how much extra cost the catching industry can absorb. Therefore liquid gas prices will have to be brought down before it becomes a viable alternative..
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