Americas News
FMC: LNG Bunkering is a Potential Market for America's Natural Gas Resources
The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) says it has been engaging in discussion on the greater use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel in the industry.
A roundtable discussion was reportedly held in early June which noted the progress made in the realm of LNG by companies such as Harvey Gulf Marine, Totem Ocean Trailer Express, and Crowley Maritime.
FMC Commissioner William P. Doyle was most interested learning more about the emerging "new market" for natural gas, with speakers having also suggested uses for LNG shoreside for drayage trucks and cargo handling machinery.
"LNG bunkering is a potential market for America's natural gas resources," he said.
"By bringing elements of the maritime industry together with the energy sector, we are beginning a long-term dialogue that should culminate in greater understanding and use of domestic natural gas that is cost-efficient and with significant environmental compliance benefits."
According the statement, many of the parties in attendance agreed that the LNG marine fuel and bunkering markets had "room to grow."
Last year, Doyle was also reported as commenting that there the U.S. was producing enough LNG to give the industry confidence in the supply of natural gas a fuel.
