Exploring LNG’s Role as a Transitional Fuel in Maritime Decarbonisation

The role of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transitional fuel in the maritime industry’s journey towards decarbonisation was explored in a recent webinar featuring industry experts. Lloyd’s Register global gas segment director Panayiotis Mitrou emphasized the importance of risk management for ship operators considering LNG, highlighting methane management and emissions mitigation strategies as critical components. The discussion also delved into the potential of bio and synthetic LNG as part of industry greening efforts, along with the challenges of integrating these cleaner alternatives into the maritime sector.

Avenir LNG bunkering commercial director Jan Schubert provided insights into the development of LNG infrastructure, emphasizing the strategic advantage of existing infrastructure for cleaner LNG variants. Challenges related to integrating bioLNG into the maritime sector were acknowledged by Schubert, who highlighted the importance of robust supply chains and regulatory frameworks to support widescale adoption. James Fisher Tankships voyage operations manager Nicola Ellwood discussed operational challenges and strategic initiatives taken by the company to facilitate the use of LNG, particularly through fleet renewal programs integrating dual-fuel capabilities.

Webinar poll results revealed industry stakeholders’ perspectives on the future of LNG as a marine fuel, with a focus on clean LNG blends such as bioLNG and synthetic LNG. While optimism exists for moderate growth in availability and gradual cost reductions of these blends, concerns remain about high costs and operational complexities of methane abatement solutions. The adoption of LNG for small-scale tanker operations faces challenges related to costs, availability of bunkering infrastructure, and regulatory uncertainty, indicating the need for holistic approaches to achieve significant emissions reductions throughout the maritime industry.

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