SEA\LNG reiterates LNG’s central role in meeting IMO’s decarbonisation goals
SEA\LNG, the multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel, supports 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, SEA\LNG said in its press release.
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 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.
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.
About SEA\LNG
SEA\LNG brings together key players from across the supply chain, including shipping companies, classification societies, ports, major LNG suppliers, downstream companies, infrastructure providers and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to address market barriers and transform the use of LNG as a marine fuel.
SEA\LNG is a not for profit collaborative industry foundation serving the needs of its member organisations. SEA\LNG’s members include: ABS, Carnival Corporation & plc, Clean Marine Energy, DNV GL, Eagle LNG Partners, ENGIE, Gas Natural Fenosa, GE, GTT, JAX LNG, Keppel Gas Technology, “K” LINE Group, Lloyd’s Register, MAN Diesel & Turbo, Marubeni Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Novatek Gas & Power, NYK Line, Petronet LNG, Port of Rotterdam, Qatargas, Shell, Société Générale, Sumitomo Corporation, Total, TOTE Inc., Toyota Tsusho, Uyeno Group of Companies, Yokohama-Kawasaki International Port Corporation (YKIP), and Wärtsilä.
SEA\LNG is guided by a board, which is led by chairman Peter Keller. Each member organisation commits mutually agreed human resources, data analysis and knowledge sharing in support of SEA\LNG initiatives and activities and financially contributes via a membership fee.
The SEA\LNG coalition was established by Xyntéo, an advisory body which works with global companies to identify and implement collaborative initiatives that enable businesses to grow in a new way, fit for the resource, climate and demographic realities of the 21st century.