Americas News
USCG Says Its "Important" to Develop Policy on LNG Bunkering
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has said that policy development is important in promoting the use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as bunker fuel, FC Gas Intelligence reports.
The Barack Obama Administration has a stated aim, according to the report, of reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 17% from 2005 levels by 2020.
And USCG is looking to national and international policy development as part of the effort towards reducing the impact of U.S. shipping on the environment.
"It is important to develop policy to minimize uncertainty," said Timothy Meyers, USCG General Engineer at the Office of Design and Engineering Standards.
"Currently we are working with the international community, the IMO [International Maritime Organization] on safe vessel design, and ISO [International Organization for Standardization] on bunkering.
"Our involvement will help shape international standards as well as domestic policy," he added.
Meyers continued that current regulations were silent on LNG and the U.S. was looking to implement interim policies.
Earlier this month, classification society Bureau Veritas said there are "no alternatives" to LNG as an eco-friendly marine fuel.
