New Report Touts Role of LNG in Cleaner Shipping

IGU suggests that LNG as marine fuel could provide an alternative and cleaner fuel for shipping.

The International Gas Union (IGU) today, in a new report, suggests that liquefied natural gas (LNG) as marine fuel could provide an alternative and cleaner fuel for shipping, reducing the "detrimental impact of marine transport on air quality levels."

IGU says strong policy responses are required from governments to support the successful uptake of LNG bunkers.

"The use of LNG in marine transport can deliver significant environmental, economic and social benefits. These include reductions in emissions of harmful pollutants, including up to 90 percent reductions in sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, 29 percent reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and 85 percent reductions in PM levels," said IGU.

"In addition, a switch to LNG fuel can generate substantial monetary savings for operators through fuel costs, as well as benefiting local infrastructure through investments and jobs."

IGU advises G20 governments to increase regulation of emissions from marine transport, identify and eliminate gaps in existing regulatory frameworks, facilitate better access to financing for the switch to LNG, and fund LNG technology development and early-mover implementations.

"We need effective policy change to encourage a switch to LNG," said David Carroll, President of the IGU, adding: "this report, and our recent reports on urban air quality, demonstrates the key role natural gas plays in tackling the issue of air pollution and improving the quality of people's lives."

In January, cross-industry coalition SEA\LNG said a collaborative approach to understanding the opportunities and addressing associated commercial barriers to LNG is "crucial" to encouraging the adoption of the fuel as an alternative to traditional bunker fuels.