A recently formed coalition, SEA\LNG that was created to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel has issued a position statement highlighting the benefits and potential of LNG to meet the future emissions requirements.
SEA\LNG members include Carnival Corporation & plc, DNV GL, Eagle LNG Partners, ENGIE, GE, GTT, Keppel Offshore & Marine, Lloyd’s Register, Mitsubishi Corporation, NYK Line, Port of Rotterdam, Qatargas, Shell, TOTE Inc., and Wärtsilä.
The statement comes just a week before the 70th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London where the decision for a 0.5% global sulphur cap in 2020 or 2025 is expected to be made.
Within the position statement, SEA\LNG states that LNG is an economic, clean and safe marine fuel with increasing global availability that can offer compliance with existing and scheduled MARPOL Annex VI emission requirements, significantly reducing particulate matter and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
LNG is particularly capable of meeting such requirements as it emits no sulphur oxides (SOx) and virtually zero particulate matter, while 90% less nitrogen oxides are formed and 20% less CO2 compared with heavy fuel oils. According to SEA\LNG, LNG is therefore a good fuel choice for ship owners and vessels operating in global trade lanes as well as Emission Control Areas (ECAs) where a 0.1% maximum sulphur content is permitted.
Furthermore, LNG is widely available. According to SEA\LNG there are 20 exporters of LNG and 35 importers in almost all regions of the world.
SEA\LNG also revealed in their statement that there are already 86 LNG fuelled ships in operation worldwide with a further 95 on order. The transportation industry also has an excellent safety record with LNG with over 100 million miles covered in the last 50 years without any major safety incidents in port or at sea.
SEA\LNG Chairman, Peter Keller commented: “Independent of the timing of the IMO’s implementation of the 0.5% global sulphur cap, today LNG is already a clean, safe, practical and economically viable fuel for the shipping industry. The industry is making big steps in creating the infrastructure to enable quick, safe and cost-effective LNG bunkering in key global ports; diminishing the price premium for LNG-fuelled vessels; as well as working with regulators to establish consistent international and national regulations, which we believe will enhance investment in this sector.”
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