PRESS RELEASE: SEA\LNG, the multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel, today reiterated how critical continuing investment in LNG as a marine fuel is to meeting both air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets. In an effort to ensure that industry and governments make a pragmatic and balanced analysis of the future of maritime fuels, SEA\LNG has issued the following statement:
Assessing the case for LNG must include the full benefits from both an air quality and GHG perspective. Assessing it purely from a GHG point of view is not responsible – we must consider the significant public health benefits LNG can and is delivering now through significant local emissions reductions in markets where it is being utilised.
The maritime industry has been working for decades to help ease the air quality issues around the globe. This serious health hazard still persists and must continue to be addressed. LNG is ready now as an unrivalled solution to these critical air quality issues. LNG far outperforms conventional marine fuels in terms of dramatically reducing local emissions to improve air quality and human health. 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) emissions.
As regards GHG in the maritime sector, realistic reductions of up to 20% are achievable now with LNG. As technology continues to develop, these reductions will increase. Furthermore, 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.
