SEA\LNG's study underlines LNG as a compelling investment solution for VLCCs on the Arabian Gulf to China trade route
SEA\LNG has released the results of its third investment study, which underlines liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a compelling investment solution for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) on the Arabian Gulf to China trade route.
Conducted by independent simulation and analytics expert Opsiana, the study demonstrates clear benefits of LNG as a marine fuel for a newbuild 300K DWT VLCC on the Arabian Gulf to China trade route, in comparison with other alternatives currently available and scalable to the shipping industry across three fuel pricing scenarios.
The business case compares the relative investment performance of four propulsion alternatives: a conventional VLCC sailing with Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil; a scrubber-equipped VLCC sailing mostly with Heavy Fuel Oil; and two LNG powered VLCCs, one with a high-pressure 2-stoke engine, the other a low-pressure 2-stroke engine.
The study clearly indicates that LNG as a marine fuel delivers a strong return on investment on a net present value (NPV) basis over a conservative 10-year horizon. The analysis is bolstered by compelling paybacks from three to five years.
The route was chosen because it is the major energy trade corridor from the Middle East to China. Providing greater clarity for those investing in LNG, the study highlights several key findings: compelling returns on an NPV basis, the diminishing CAPEX hurdle for LNG engines, LNG delivers competitive energy costs, has higher environmental performance, and is the most financially effective long-term method for complying with the IMO 2020 sulphur cap.
Importantly, the higher investment return was achieved without including the significant additional benefits and branding value gained by choosing LNG as a more environmentally friendly marine fuel. When corporate sustainability and environmental goals are included, choosing LNG as a marine fuel brings additional benefits.
To ensure the best possible data was available to Opsiana, SEA\LNG members contributed maritime expertise and current, timely background information and data from across the LNG value chain to ensure a high level of creditability in the study and results.
While the results of this study are based on a set of fuel forecast assumptions, through the “Reader’s Choice” modelling, provision has also been made for each reader to apply their personal crystal ball on future prices. Impacts of other CAPEX values whose premiums may change as a result of differences across three principal categories – market, technology, physical – can also be incorporated.
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: Carnival Corporation & plc, Chart Industries, Clean Marine Energy, DNV GL, Eagle LNG Partners, ÉNESTAS, Exeno Yamamizu, Fearnleys, FortisBC, Gasum AS, 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, Naturgy, Novatek Gas & Power, NYK Line, Port of Rotterdam, Port of Virginia, Qatargas, Shell, Société Générale, Stabilis Energy, Sumitomo Corporation, Total, TOTE Inc., Toyota Tsusho, Uyeno Group of Companies, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Wärtsilä, and Yokohama-Kawasaki International Port Corporation (YKIP).