SEA\LNG, the multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel, today announced that it has welcomed MAN Diesel & Turbo (MAN) to its membership coalition, the company said in its press release.
As a world-leading provider of large-bore diesel and gas engines and turbomachinery, MAN’s technical expertise will augment those of existing SEA\LNG member OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) Wärtsilä and GTT.
MAN’s increased focus in the field of converting existing vessels to operate using LNG fuel is exemplified in its pivotal role in the world’s first conversion of a container ship’s propulsion system from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to LNG. The dual-fuel conversion saw the 1,036 TEU feeder container ship Wes Amelie retrofitted in August 2017 to a multi-fuel, four-stroke unit that enables dual-fuel operation – significantly reducing its SOx emissions by more than 99%, NOx by approximately 90%, and CO2 by up to 20%.
In October 2017, MAN pledged a €2M (US$2.3M) discount to convert 10 HFO engines into gas engines as part of its drive to find clean solutions for seaborne trade and transportation. MAN recognises the need for collaboration across the shipping industry on the technical challenges of this vital and growing sector.
The addition of MAN to the coalition further strengthens SEA\LNG’s collaborative membership which continues to leverage knowledge, networks, and real-life examples to obtain a competitive global LNG value chain for cleaner maritime shipping.
SEA\LNG recently voiced its support for the level of ambition outlined by the IMO’s Initial Strategy of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 50% by 2050, compared to 2008 levels, and stressed the importance of LNG in supporting its achievement.
LNG is ready now as an unrivalled solution to local emissions requirements, and as a pragmatic bridge to a zero-carbon future. It far outperforms conventional marine fuels in terms of minimising local emissions to improve air quality and can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It emits zero sulphur oxides (SOx), virtually zero particulate matter, and compared to existing heavy marine fuel oils, LNG can, depending on the technology used, emit 90% fewer NOx emissions.
And in combination with efficiency measures being developed for new ships in response to the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), LNG will provide a way of meeting the IMO’s decarbonisation target of a 40% decrease by 2030 for international shipping.
The coalition believes that the decision adopted by the IMO’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) during its recent 72nd session underlines how essential LNG as a marine fuel is as a commercially viable bridging solution to a zero-emissions shipping industry, while enabling it to comply with the immediate regulatory demands of the IMO 2020 global sulphur cap.
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.
About MAN Diesel & Turbo
MAN Diesel & Turbo SE, based in Augsburg, Germany, is the world’s leading provider of large-bore diesel and gas engines and turbomachinery. The company employs around 15,000 staff at more than 100 international sites, primarily in Germany, Denmark, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, India and China. The company’s product portfolio includes two-stroke and four-stroke engines for marine and stationary applications, turbochargers and propellers as well as gas and steam turbines, compressors and chemical reactors. The range of services and supplies is rounded off by complete solutions like ship propulsion systems, engine-based power plants and turbomachinery trains for the oil & gas as well as the process industries. Customers receive worldwide after-sales services marketed under the MAN PrimeServ brand.