Study: LNG Reduces Shipping GHG By 21%
Using LNG as a marine fuel could cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 21%, according to a study released April 11.
SEA/LNG and the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) commissioned the Well-to-Wake GHG Emissions Lifecycle Study. Calling it “the definitive study into GHG emissions from current marine engines,” they said in a statement that it proves that such savings are “achievable compared with current oil-based marine fuels over the entire life-cycle from ‘well-to-wake’ (WtW).
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The industry lobbyists say the “independent” study report has been reviewed by a panel of academic experts. 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.
Shipping companies are struggling to meet the deadline on new particle emissions standards. From 2020, the limit for sulfur in fuel will be reduced to 0.5% from the current 3.5%.
The gas industry is pushing hard to make its case that LNG is the fuel of choice for the maritime sector. However, limited infrastructure and a still developing global market are complicating that effort.
SEA\LNG chairman Peter Keller called the study “a long-awaited piece of the ‘LNG as a marine fuel’ puzzle. It not only confirms what we already knew in terms of LNG’s immediate impact on air quality, human health and its cleanliness, but clearly highlights the genuine, substantiated GHG benefits of using today’s marine engines capable of burning natural gas.”