SEA-LNG study: LBM and LSM to push LNG as marine fuel

The multi-sector industry coalition SEA-LNG released a new study analyzing the availability and costs of Liquefied Bio Methane (LBM) and Liquefied Synthetic Methane (LSM) and the potential to contribute to future decarbonization for the shipping industry.

Image courtesy of MAN Diesel & Turbo

The study concludes that both could become available in sufficient quantities to make a contribution towards future decarbonization for the shipping industry and that the costs need not be significantly higher than those of other low- and zero-carbon fuels.

The study explores the potential availability and cost of LBM and LSM produced from renewable electricity with the aim of providing industry-leading, timely, and proven analysis to support the growing case for LBM and LSM in driving forward LNG as a decarbonization solution towards 2030, 2050, and beyond, SEA-LNG said.

The findings are that both LBM and LSM are scalable solutions for the maritime sector, with estimated sustainable global supplies potentially exceeding the demands of shipping in the future, and likely to be commercially competitive relative to other low- and zero-carbon fuels.

Further, the growing LNG-fueled fleet could use LBM or LSM without requiring major modifications, and the existing supply infrastructure will remain fit for bunkering purposes with either fuel.

The study was conducted by independent research and consultancy organization CE Delft and commissioned by SEA-LNG.

Dagmar Nelissen (CE Delft), said, “Based on an extensive review of the global availability of biomass, and the maturity of technologies to produce biomethane and synthetic methane, we conclude that, in principle, sufficient amounts could be produced to fuel the shipping sector. However, other sectors are also likely to demand methane, and there needs to be significant investments in production capacity.”

Analysis of the global sustainable biomass resource shows that biomethane from energy crops, agricultural residues, forestry products and residues could significantly exceed the global total energy demand of the maritime sector. The sustainable potential for LBM could be substantially higher in 2050 compared to 2030, even when excluding aquatic biomass, which has the potential to play a dominant role in the long term.

The biomass resources from which LBM can be produced are globally available. The availability of LSM will be dependent on the future build-out of renewable electricity capacity and therefore relies on investment within this space. This will also be a key driver within the development of other synthetic fuels reliant on renewable electricity, such as green hydrogen and ammonia.

The production costs of LBM and LSM could be broadly comparable to other renewable fuels like green hydrogen and ammonia.

Compared to those fuels, LBM and LSM have the advantage that they can be transported, stored and bunkered, utilizing existing and technically matured LNG infrastructure.

“The shipping industry faces unprecedented challenges if it is to meet the IMO’s decarbonization targets,” commented Peter Keller, chairman, SEA-LNG.

“In combination, the studies we have commissioned definitely proves that, through LBM and LSM, LNG offers a clear pathway to net zero-carbon emissions from shipping while also future-proofing ship owners’ investments,” Keller said.

He further noted that by investing in LNG-fuelled vessels now, ship owners can realize immediate GHG benefits – up to 21 percent on a Well-to-Wake basis and 28 percent, Tank-to-Wake, including the impact of methane emissions. These LNG-based assets can use non-fossil fuel methane such as LBM and LSM with little to no modifications. As LBM and LSM become available at scale, the carbon-free future will become reality.


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