Laura DiBella is a Commissioner with the Federal Maritime Commission. Image Credit: FMC

The Chair of the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has backed the inclusion of LNG and bio-LNG in the IMO’s proposed Net-Zero Framework (NZF).

Any workable framework should allow the widest possible range of alternative marine fuels, including LNG and bio-LNG, Laura DiBella said in a statement on Thursday.

“Fuel diversity does not necessarily equate to fuel availability, stability, and reliability,” she said.

DiBella said emissions reductions should instead be linked to the viability, affordability, global availability and scalability of alternative fuels, rather than a rigid implementation date or limited fuel options.

“Both conventional and transitional fuels should remain in use to meet these criteria,” she said.

Bio-LNG and LNG Could Supply 60% of Global Marine Fuel by 2050

She specifically highlighted LNG and bio-LNG, saying the fuels could play a significant role in the maritime sector’s future fuel mix.

“Conversations around emissions reductions must be expanded to include more fuel types, notably LNG and bio-LNG,” DiBella said.

The two fuels could “realistically supply over 60% of global maritime fuel by 2050,” she said.

DiBella said bio-LNG, produced from organic agricultural waste, is particularly well positioned because it can use existing LNG infrastructure and serve the growing fleet of LNG-fuelled vessels.

She also rejected concerns that bio-LNG would inevitably become more expensive as demand increases.

"The concern that bio-LNG will inevitably become more expensive as demand for biofuels grows assumes that fuel supply remains static while demand increases," she said.

“A well-designed global fuel standard can create the long-term demand certainty needed to unlock new investment and expand supply—particularly in the United States,” she said.

The policy challenge is to ensure fuel supply and infrastructure investment can expand alongside demand, rather than limiting alternative fuels because of concerns about future prices, DiBella said.

She also highlighted the US position as the world's leading LNG exporter, with export capacity expected to double by 2030.

“Responsibly sourced, American-made bio-LNG must be recognized as a qualifying fuel domestically and internationally,” DiBella said.

US Has Long Opposed the NZF

Her comments come ahead of a technical meeting at the IMO next month, where delegates are expected to address outstanding concerns over the NZF, which failed to secure adoption last year.

DiBella had previously criticised the framework in May when MEPC 84 discussions were taking place, saying a “silent majority” of countries had emerged in opposition to the proposed NZF.

The US has opposed the framework since it was put forward for adoption and was among the countries that pushed for the decision to adopt it to be delayed by one year.

Earlier this year, the US went further and called for the NZF to be scrapped completely.

DiBella latest comments focus on the need for the framework to allow a wider range of alternative fuels, including LNG and bio-LNG.

Her comments are her own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Federal Maritime Commission.