To help the country cut back on oil imports, the Marine Department will today propose that the government promote the installation of natural-gas engines in passenger-transport vessels plying the Chao Phya River, as well as in small fishing boats.

Director-general Tawalyarat Onsira yesterday said his department would propose to a joint committee of the Transport and Energy ministries a measure encouraging passenger-transport vessels and owners of small fishing boats to switch to engines that are compatible with natural gas for vehicles (NGV). Incentives would be offered for doing so.

He said that as part of the measure, the department would propose that boat-licence fees and boat tariffs be waived for five to 10 years for vessels switching to NGV engines. There are 30-40 passenger boats and more than 50,000 small fishing vessels currently registered in Thai-land. Boat licences cost Bt500, while the boat tariff is levied by weight.

Tawalyarat said waiving the licence fee and boat tariff would encourage owners to switch from diesel to NGV-fuelled engines. Prices of passenger tickets could then be reduced.

The department recently inked a deal with PTT and GFS Asia-Pacific for a pilot project to install NGV engines in Chao Phrya Express boats.

Moreover, he said the department would expand instalment of NGV engines to include small fishing boats. PTT will also offer them NGV engines at special prices.

Watcharapong Thongrung

 The Nation