LNG bunkering coalition backs sulphur cap implementation

The industry coalition advocating the use of liquefied natural gas as a marine fuel, SEALNG voiced its support of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) push for January 1, 2020 implementation of the sulphur cap.

Besides the 0.5 percent sulphur limit, SEALNG also voiced support of the adoption of the amendment to Marpol Annex VI for a carriage ban on non-compliant fuels for vessels without an approved equivalent arrangement to meet the sulphur limit – such as an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) on March 1, 2020.

SEALNG chairman and executive vice president of TOTE, Peter Keller says, “We believe both actions provide greater certainty to ship owners considering new build and retrofit investment options in compliant marine fuelling solutions such as LNG.

SEALNG also highlighted the central role of LNG, not only in complying with the 2020 global sulphur cap, but for its potential to help achieve the IMO’s target for a 40 percent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030 and total emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050.

“Improvements in marine propulsion systems continue to advance apace, with today’s engines already significantly ahead of previous years’ technologies.  It is expected that these improvements will continue as OEMs concentrate on accelerating emissions performance. In combination with efficiency measures being developed for new ships in response to the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), LNG provides a viable and effective means of achieving the IMO’s target for a 40 percent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030, as well as longer-term goals,” said Keller.

LNG provides the shipping industry with the opportunity for a safe and scalable fuel to meet global marine energy demands. Bulk supply infrastructure for LNG already exists along the main shipping lanes today and LNG bunkering capacity is growing rapidly with 20 bunker vessels expected to be in service by 2020, SEALNG’ statement reads.