DNV GL: LNG Adoption Will Be Quick, But Long-Term Fuel Mix Will Be Diverse

Public perception hurts nuclear power adoption

As efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution continue, the long-term fuel mix for global shipping is likely to include a diverse range of solutions, DNV GL reports in a new position paper.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) will probably be adopted more quickly than other alternative technologies, but in the long-term more than 20 percent of shipping could use hybrid solutions featuring batteries or other kinds of energy storage.

Short sea shipping is projected to adopt more locally produced fuels, including biogas, biodiesel, methanol, shoreside electricity, and hydrogen, while deep sea shipping will focus more on LNG and—if it becomes more technologically feasible—biodiesel.

Nuclear power could also join the mix if it can recover from negative public perceptions.

"While renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, may have some potential to mitigate carbon emissions, this is not seen as a viable large-scale alternative for commercial shipping," said Christos Chryssakis, DNV GL senior researcher and position paper project manager.

Fuels must be judged on their emissions over their entire production cycle, taking into account issues like the amount of land and resources needed to produce biofuels.

"There is no doubt that adopting new technologies are likely to be a challenge for ship owners," said Chryssakis.

"DNV GL is leading the way through our technology qualification processes which are designed to ensure that new technologies work as expected."

A recent report found that more than 3,000 LNG-powered vessels are set to be commissioned over the next 12 years.