SEA\LNG, the multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a Marine Fuel, has expressed its support for the level of ambition outlined by the IMO’s Initial Strategy. It believes that the accelerated uptake of LNG as a marine fuel can play a significant role in the decarbonisation of the shipping sector while enabling it to comply with short-term regulatory demands of the IMO 2020 global sulphur cap.

LNG has unmatchable major local emissions benefits and is a major step forward for GHG reductions

LNG, in combination with efficiency measures being developed for new ships in response to the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), will provide a way of meeting the IMO’s decarbonisation target of a 40% decrease by 2030 for international shipping.

It far outperforms conventional marine fuels in terms of minimising local emissions to improve air quality and can significantly reduce GHG emissions. LNG emits zero sulphur oxides (SOx) and virtually zero particulate matter (PM). Compared to existing heavy marine fuel oils, LNG emits 90% less nitrogen oxides (NOx), and through the use of best practices and appropriate technologies to minimise methane leakage, realistic reductions of GHG by 10-20% with a potential for up to 25% compared with conventional oil-based fuels can be expected.

Advancements in dual fuel technology and propulsion, enhanced control systems, and future use of gas turbine technologies present further opportunities for increased GHG reductions. It is a future-fit local emissions solution for shipping companies and the associated supply chain. Due to its minimal local emissions, LNG effectively insulates companies from the impact of future, more demanding national, regional, and global air quality regulations.

LNG is available now, commercially viable, and scalable to meet the industry’s needs

LNG is a proven marine fuelling solution and is available now. Alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia are not economic, not available at scale, and unproven for shipping operations. They will require huge investments by industry and governments over decades to realise their potential. By contrast, LNG provides a commercially viable means to address key environmental needs today. It is in use now and has proven itself to be an effective and safe marine fuel and has the capacity to scale rapidly to meet the needs of the marine industry.

LNG makes sense as a long-term, bridging solution for the marine energy transition

SEA\LNG believes that LNG offers a commercially viable bridging solution to a zero-emissions shipping industry, with immediate local and GHG emissions benefits. LNG-fuelled vessels and bunkering infrastructure can easily switch from fossil-fuel LNG to renewable, or zero-emissions LNG, meaning that investment in LNG-fuelled ships and bunkering infrastructure today does not lock the shipping industry into a high GHG emissions trajectory. LNG offers a bridge to a zero-carbon future – bioLNG (from biogas) can be used as a ‘drop-in’ fuel, significantly reducing GHG emissions. While longer term, ‘power-to-gas’ is a key technology with the potential to produce large volumes of renewable LNG.

Source: SEA\LNG