Independent study reveals LNG reduces shipping GHG emissions by up to 21%
The independent study report has revealed that Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reductions of up to 21% are achievable now from LNG as a marine fuel, compared with current oil-based marine fuels over the entire life-cycle from Well-to-Wake (WtW), SEA\LNG said in its release. It also confirms that emissions of other local pollutants, such as sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), are close to zero when using LNG compared with current conventional oil-based marine fuels.
The study, commissioned by SEA\LNG and SGMF, was conducted by leading data and consultancy provider thinkstep according to ISO standards. The report, which has been reviewed by a panel of independent academic experts, is the definitive study into GHG emissions from current marine engines.
On an engine technology basis, the absolute WtW emissions reduction benefits for LNG-fuelled engines compared with HFO fuelled ships today are between 14% to 21% for 2-stroke slow speed engines and between 7% to 15% for 4-stroke medium speed engines. 72% of the marine fuel consumed today is by 2-stroke engines with a further 18% used by 4-stroke medium speed engines.
Ongoing optimisation in supply chain and engine technology developments will further enhance the benefits of LNG as a marine fuel. Additionally, bioLNG and Synthetic LNG – both fully interchangeable with LNG derived from fossil feedstock – offer the potential for significant additional GHG emissions reductions. For example, a blend of 20% bioLNG as a drop-in fuel can reduce GHG emissions by a further 13% when compared to 100% fossil fuel LNG.
Dr Oliver Schuller, Team Lead Energy & Mobility at thinkstep stated: “The main goal of this study was to provide an accurate report of the life-cycle GHG emissions from LNG as a marine fuel compared with conventional marine fuels.”
This is a comprehensive report using the latest primary data to assess all major types of marine engines and global sources of supply with quality data provided by Original Equipment Manufacturers including Caterpillar MaK, Caterpillar Solar Turbines, GE, MAN Energy Solutions, Rolls Royce (MTU), Wärtsilä, and Winterthur Gas & Diesel, as well as from ExxonMobil, Shell, and Total from the supply side. It is quality assured in assessing the supply and use of LNG as a marine fuel according to ISO standards. And objective having been peer-reviewed by leading academics from key institutions in France, Germany, Japan and the USA.”
About SEA\LNG
SEA\LNG is a UK-registered not for profit collaborative industry foundation serving the needs of its member organisations committed to furthering the use of LNG as an important, environmentally superior maritime fuel.
SEA\LNG has members across the entire LNG value chain including providers of the product, users, engine and asset suppliers, and class societies. SEA\LNG is already recognised as an International leader in LNG matters. 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. SEA\LNG is guided by a board, which is led by chairman Peter Keller, who was elected as Founding Chairman in 2016.
SEA\LNG’s members include: ABS, Carnival Corporation & plc, Clean Marine Energy, DNV GL, Eagle LNG Partners, ÉNESTAS, Exeno Yamamizu, Fearnleys AS, Gasum, GE, GTT, JAX LNG, Keppel Gas Technology, “K” LINE Group, Lloyd’s Register, MAN Energy Solutions, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Marubeni Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Naturgy, 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, Port of Vancouver, Wärtsilä, and Yokohama-Kawasaki International Port Corporation (YKIP).
About SGMF
The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) established to promote safety and industry best practice in the use of gas as a marine fuel. It has Consultative Status with the IMO and is the definitive information resource for the industry.
Formed in 2013, Governed by a representative Board, the Society is driven by two principal Committees; Technical and Environmental. SGMF has several Working Groups at any one time solving issues and producing outputs such as Formal Publications and Technical Guidance Notices for the industry. The Society has produced six-ISBN publications to date and has over 135 international members ranging including energy suppliers, port authorities, fuel suppliers through to equipment manufacturers, training organisations and classification societies.
SGMF’s members include: A.P Moller- Maersk A/S, Aberdeen Harbour Board, Affinity LNG LLP, American Bureau of Shipping Europe Ltd, Anthony Veder LNG Shipping BV, Ardent Maritime Netherlands BV, Arista Shipping, ARTA GmbH & Co.KG, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, BP Shipping Ltd, Braemar Engineering, British Columbia Ferry Services Inc., Brittany Ferries, BRUGG Rohrsysteme GmbH, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, Canaveral Port Authority, Carnival plc, Caterpillar, Inc, Chantier Naval de Marseille SAS, China Classification Society, CMA CGM, Compagnie Du Ponant, Containerships plc, Crowley Maritime, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd., DNV GL, Dubai Supply Authority, Dunlop Oil & Marine Ltd, Eagle LNG Partners, EASTPORT MARINE SDN BHD, ECM Training Services, LLC, Elengy, Enestas, S.A. de C.V., ENGIE, ENN Energy Holdings Ltd, Evergas Management A/S, Excelerate Energy, ExxonMobil Marine Limited, Falck B.V., Foreship Ltd., FortisBC Energy Inc., Gas and Heat SpA, Gas Technology Development PTE Ltd, GasLog LNG Services Ltd, Gasum AS, Gate Terminal B.V, Gibraltar Port Authority, Grand Port Maritime de Marseille, Grand Port Maritime du Havre, GTT, GTT Training Ltd., Gutteling B.V., Harley Marine Services, Harvey Gulf International Marine, Heerema Marine Contractors S.E., Houlder Limited, JAX LNG, LLC, John H Whitaker (Tankers) Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Itd, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., Klaw Products Ltd, Knutsen OAS Shipping A.S., Korea Gas Corporation, Korean Register, Liquid Gas Equipment Limited, Lloyd’s Register, LNG Japan Corporation, LNG PRO Bunkers Ltd., LNG STS Solutions, Magical Cruise Company Ltd, Mampaey Offshore Industries, MAN Energy Solutions, Mann Teknik AB, Marine Services GMBH, Maritime Port Authority of Singapore, MIB ITALIANA S.P.A., Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. LTD, Mitsui O.S.K Lines Ltd, MKM Zaitoun Green Shipping LLC, Moran Towing Corporation, MSC Cruise Management Ltd, National Grid Grain LNG, Naturgy Aprovisionamientos, S.A., Nauticor GmbH & Co. KG, Nexans Deutschland Gmbh (LOGITRADE), NiCHe LNG, LLC, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), Novatek Gas & Power Asia Pte. Ltd, NYK Line, OSM Maritime Group, Pavilion Gas Pte Ltd, Per Groeneveld Maritime Consultant, Petronas LNG SDN BHD, Pilbara Ports Authority, Port of Amsterdam, Port of Gothenburg, Port of Rotterdam, Qatar Gas Transport Co. (Nakilat), Qatar Petroleum, Q-LNG Transport, LLC, RCL Cruises LTD, Resolve Marine Group, REV LNG Marine LLC, Rina Services SPA, Rolls-Royce Marine AS, Royal HaskoningDHV, SCF Management Services (Dubai) Ltd, Seaspan Ferries, Shell International Trading & Shipping Co. Ltd., Sirius Shipping AB, Smit Lamnalco, Smit Salvage B.V., STC Group, Stolt-Nielsen Gas BU, Stream Marine Training, SUNY Maritime College, Tarntank Ship Management AB, TechnipFMC, TGE Marine Gas Engineering GmbH, Titan LNG B.V., Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd., Total Marine Fuels Pte Ltd, Tote Services Inc., Trelleborg Marine Systems UK Ltd – SeaTechnik, United European Car Carriers, Van Oord Ship Management B.V., Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Victrol NV, Videotel, Wartsila Corporation, Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd., WMT Marine, Woodside Energy Limited, Worley Parsons and Yokohama-Kawasaki International Port Corporation.
About thinkstep
thinkstep is a leading global consulting and software company in the field of sustainability, especially life cycle thinking. thinkstep has grown considerably over the last 25 years. thinkstep’s industry-leading environmental sustainability software, data and consulting services help businesses drive operational excellence, product innovation, brand value and regulatory compliance.