LNG Bunkering

SEALNG reiterates LNG’s role in shipping carbon free future

‘LNG has unmatchable major local emissions benefits and is a major step forward for GHG reductions,’ it says.

Published

8 years ago

April 24, 2018

Admin

The following is a press release from SEALNG:

SEALNG, the multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel, supports the level of ambition outlined by the IMO’s Initial Strategy. It believes that the accelerated uptake of LNG as a marine fuel can play a significant role in the decarbonisation of the shipping sector while enabling it to comply with short-term regulatory demands of the IMO 2020 global sulphur cap.

LNG has unmatchable major local emissions benefits and is a major step forward for GHG reductions

LNG, in combination with efficiency measures being developed for new ships in response to the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), will provide a way of meeting the IMO’s decarbonisation target of a 40% decrease by 2030 for international shipping.

It far outperforms conventional marine fuels in terms of minimising local emissions to improve air quality and can significantly reduce GHG emissions. LNG emits zero sulphur oxides (SOx) and virtually zero particulate matter (PM). Compared to existing heavy marine fuel oils, LNG emits 90% less nitrogen oxides (NOx), and through the use of best practices and appropriate technologies to minimise methane leakage, realistic reductions of GHG by 10-20% with a potential for up to 25% compared with conventional oil-based fuels can be expected.

Advancements in dual fuel technology and propulsion, enhanced control systems, and future use of gas turbine technologies present further opportunities for increased GHG reductions. It is a future-fit local emissions solution for shipping companies and the associated supply chain. Due to its minimal local emissions, LNG effectively insulates companies from the impact of future, more demanding national, regional, and global air quality regulations.

LNG is available now, commercially viable, and scalable to meet the industry’s needs

LNG is a proven marine fuelling solution and is available now. Alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia are not economic, not available at scale, and unproven for shipping operations. They will require huge investments by industry and governments over decades to realise their potential. By contrast, LNG provides a commercially viable means to address key environmental needs today. It is in use now and has proven itself to be an effective and safe marine fuel and has the capacity to scale rapidly to meet the needs of the marine industry.

LNG makes sense as a long-term, bridging solution for the marine energy transition

SEALNG believes that LNG offers a commercially viable bridging solution to a zero-emissions shipping industry, with immediate local and GHG emissions benefits. LNG-fuelled vessels and bunkering infrastructure can easily switch from fossil-fuel LNG to renewable, or zero-emissions LNG, meaning that investment in LNG-fuelled ships and bunkering infrastructure today does not lock the shipping industry into a high GHG emissions trajectory. LNG offers a bridge to a zero-carbon future – bioLNG (from biogas) can be used as a ‘drop-in’ fuel, significantly reducing GHG emissions. While longer term, ‘power-to-gas’ is a key technology with the potential to produce large volumes of renewable LNG.

Photo credit: SEALNG
Published: 24 April, 2018

LNG Bunkering

Chinese firms form pact for 20,000 cbm LNG bunkering vessel project

CM Energy Tech, Seacon Shipping Group and China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) signed a joint venture agreement for 1+1 20,000 cubic meter LNG bunkering vessels.

Published

3 hours ago

June 5, 2026

Admin

CM Energy Tech Co Ltd, Seacon Shipping Group Holdings Limited and China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co Ltd on Tuesday (26 May) signed a joint venture agreement for the construction of 1+1 20,000 cubic meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessels.

The parties also signed a shipbuilding contract for the first vessel, which will be constructed by China Merchants Heavy Industry.

The project combines CM Energy Tech’s access to the China Merchants Group ecosystem, Seacon Shipping Group’s expertise in ship management and operations, and China Merchants Heavy Industry’s shipbuilding capabilities. The partners said the initiative is intended to address the shortage of large-capacity LNG bunkering vessels in the Chinese market.

The newbuild LNG bunkering vessel will feature dual C-type independent cargo tanks and is designed with a boil-off rate of just 0.16% per day. It will also be capable of delivering LNG at a bunkering rate of up to 2,000 cbm per hour, enabling efficient refuelling of large LNG-fuelled vessels.

The vessel will be powered by Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines and will comply with IMO Tier III emissions requirements. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028.

The three companies said they plan to further expand cooperation across the LNG value chain, strengthen their presence in the marine energy sector and provide customers with integrated LNG bunkering services focused on safety, operational efficiency and lower carbon emissions.

Photo credit: David Yu from Pixabay
Published: 5 June, 2026

Alternative Fuels

DNV data shows shift in alternative-fuelled vessel ordering patterns

DNV says shipowners are adopting more varied fuel strategies, reflecting a growing emphasis on optionality, regulatory compliance and risk management in long-life vessel investments.

Published

3 hours ago

June 5, 2026

Admin

DNV data shows shift in alternative-fuelled vessel ordering patterns

Latest data from classification society DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform showed a total of 36 new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels were placed in May 2026.

Activity was primarily driven by LPG/ethane carriers, which accounted for 26 of the orders. A further eight LNG-fuelled vessels were ordered, including six container vessels and two car carriers, alongside two ethanol-fuelled bulk carriers.

So far in 2026, a total of 119 orders have been placed for alternative-fuelled vessels. Of these, LNG-fuelled vessels (60) account for the largest share of the orderbook, with the majority of these (42) coming from the container segment, and a smaller share (12) from car carriers.

A further 50 orders have been placed for LPG/ethane carriers, while activity in other fuel types remains limited, with orders for methanol/ethanol (4), ammonia (4), and hydrogen (1).

By the end of May, the share of alternative-fuelled vessels in total tonnage was notably lower than over the same period in 2025.

DNV data shows shift in alternative-fuelled vessel ordering patterns

Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonization Director at DNV Maritime, said: “While the pace of alternative-fuelled contracting has varied compared to 2025, the industry continues to move forward in its transition, with owners advancing fuel and technology decisions against a backdrop of evolving regulatory and market conditions.

“As in previous years, ordering of alternative-fuelled vessels has been led by the container segment, but dynamics are shifting. While activity remains strong, the focus has moved towards smaller vessels, with fewer very large container ships, which are historically more likely to adopt alternative fuels, being ordered. At the same time, we are seeing increased activity in tanker and bulker segments.

“What is also becoming clearer is that fuel choice is no longer approached as a single bet. Owners are increasingly treating it as a portfolio decision, managing fuel optionality, timing of investment, and exposure to future regulation as they navigate long-life asset decisions.

“This is reflected in more varied ordering patterns, reinforcing that the transition is not progressing in a straight line.”

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 25 May, 2026

Newbuilding

“K” Line orders four LNG dual-fuel car carriers from Chinese yard

Firm says it has signed shipbuilding contracts with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) for four 1,380-vehicle capacity LNG dual-fuel car carriers, designed for European short sea shipping operations.

Published

3 hours ago

June 5, 2026

Admin

Japanese shipping giant Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE) on Thursday (4 June) announced that it has signed shipbuilding contracts with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) Co Ltd for four 1,380-vehicle capacity LNG dual-fuel car carriers.

The vessels were ordered for “K” Line European Sea Highway Services GmbH (KESS), the “K” LINE’s European subsidiary.

The vessels are designed for the frequent transport of small lots in European short sea shipping. They are also designed to comply with size restrictions, which some European ports for imported cars have. “K” LINE is confident that these vessel specifications will give KESS a competitive advantage in its European short sea shipping operations.

The use of LNG fuel is expected to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas (GHG), by 25% to 30% and emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), which cause air pollution, by almost 100% compared to conventional vessels using heavy fuel oil. Additionally, to further reduce GHG emissions throughout the “K” LINE Group, the company will consider using bio-diesel and bio-LNG fuel, or liquefied bio methane, in addition to LNG fuel.

The vessels each use a high-pressure type ME-GI engine with a shaft generator, reducing emissions of methane slip (unburst gas), which is a greenhouse gas (GHG). While boil-off gas (BOG) generated from LNG tanks is generally used as fuel for generator engines on a vessel with a high-pressure main engine, these vessels are equipped with vacuum-insulated LNG tanks to reduce the generation of BOG. This enables a machinery configuration with lower methane slip emissions.

Under the Group’s long-term environmental policy, the “K” LINE Group set the target of achieving net-zero GHG emissions in 2050. In line with this, “K” LINE has been working to introduce and operate LNG-fuelled ships. The continuous use of bio-LNG is one of its key initiatives for achieving this target.

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 25 May, 2026