Business

Article: Is LNG Shipping’s Long Term Answer to Climate Change?

Pacific Green Technologies informs on the issues of using LNG as a marine fuel by the shipping industry.

Published

7 years ago

November 20, 2019

Admin

Scrubber technology firm Pacific Green Technologies (PGT) on Tuesday (19 November) published the following article informing the shipping industry on the issues of using LNG as a marine fuel by the shipping industry:

Experience tells us that popular opinion is rarely correct. It’s too black and white, too lacking in nuance and interest in the nitty gritty world of detail and fact.

Popular opinion, for instance, says that low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO) is a much safer bet for ships to burn. It claims that alternative fuels, like liquefied natural gas (LNG), are the safest of all.

Of course, it’s good that there is a debate being had – even an occasionally misinformed one.

After all, the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO’s) new sulphur oxide and nitrous oxide emissions standards is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2020.

These laws had to be passed. The global shipping industry is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases (GHG) and the damage done to human health by high SOx emissions, especially, has been increasingly significant.

But the move towards IMO 2020-compliant solutions has seen a trend towards overkill driven by emotion and the belief that the further one moves from burning HSFO the better for the environment.

If LNG is the answer, we’re asking the wrong question

Though it seems fair to assume that burning LSFO is better for the environment than burning HSFO, it isn’t. With the responsible use of an exhaust gas cleaning system, HSFO has been shown to outperform LSFO in toxic emissions, particulate matter (PM) and carbon footprint.

Similarly, the claims that LNG is the best fuel for marine de-carbonisation appear plausible on the surface. Yet, closer scrutiny reveals that LNG is not the panacea it is promoted to be.

Though most of the noise over the last 18 months in the maritime sector has been about IMO 2020, these regulatory changes are part of a broader IMO strategy. Envisaged legislation aims to reduce shipping output of particulate matter, and cut the industry’s CO2 emissions in half by 2050.

SEA/LNG, the industry coalition tasked with advocating the use of LNG fuel, rightly acknowledges this.

“Modern ships have a life expectancy of around a quarter of a century,” says SEA/LNG Chairman, Peter Keller.

Methane accounts for approximately 95% of the LNG used in marine propulsion

“Investors need to know how the capital expenditures for installed engines and their operational costs, including choice of fuel, will be impacted by current and future environmental legislation.”

However, it is primarily this scale of timeframe that counts against LNG.

Though LNG has a lower carbon impact than oil-based fuels, it is not as pronounced as common sense science suggests it might be (LNG only provides a 20-25% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to diesel).

This difference could be even less depending on how the lifecycle of fuel is measured from well to wake.

A solid argument exists for writing off the GHG emissions associated with HSFO production, as this residual fuel oil is essentially a byproduct of the manufacturing process for lighter fuels like diesel. SEA/LNG disagrees.

Then there’s the methane problem.

Methane accounts for approximately 95% of the LNG used in marine propulsion. Though most of it is combusted, some of it escapes during fuel consumption in a phenomenon known as ‘methane slip’.

Though slipped amounts are small, they have a disproportionately high impact on climate change. Methane has a global warming potential which is 28 times higher than that of CO2 over a 100 year perspective, and 84 times higher over 20 years.

Methane slippage can therefore reduce, or even negate, the potential gains for LNG from lower CO2 emissions.

This flips the claim that LNG offers decarbonisation benefits that accrue in proportion to its representative mix within existing vessel fleets: the more LNG vessels, this views maintains, the greater the benefits.

But, if burning LNG actually has a marginally detrimental effect on our climate, then the more LNG ships we see the more we need to worry.

“I think people automatically say that we can go to LNG and clean up the environment,” says Jose Femenia, Professor of Engineering at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. "You have to take that with a grain of salt."

LNG gases are also not free of particulate matter. A study for the European Commission found that, though LNG particle emissions were lower by volume than oil-based fuels, they were concentrated in the ultrafine range.

According to the research, ultrafine particles can penetrate the respiratory system and be transported to other parts of the body via the blood, where they can cause widespread inflammation.

“Very small particles may also play a role in atmospheric processes, dictating the amount and lifetime of clouds, which can influence climate.”

On the spectrum of potential alternative energy sources there are a number, like hydrogen or battery power, that promise greater long-term benefits. The only factor counting in LNG’s favour is that it is a more mature technology with more established supply side actors.

Whether LNG is a fuel for 2050 is questionable.

It is for these various reasons that University Maritime Advisory Services (UMAS) has concluded that the European Union’s (EU) projected spending on LNG bunkering infrastructure would have no significant climate benefits.

Marine exhaust gas scrubbers, however, do have a positive short-, medium-, and long-term effect.

In the move towards long-term alignment with climate policy, LNG is in danger of being a diversion. And, with the amount of money that needs to be spent to develop the currently sparse global LNG bunkering infrastructure, that diversion could be very costly.

Source: Pacific Green Technologies
Published: 20 November, 2019

Mass Flowmeter

Hong Kong backs MFM adoption with voluntary scheme to boost bunkering competitiveness

Hong Kong’s Marine Department launched the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme to encourage bunker operators to install and use mass flow meter systems on their bunker vessels.

Published

8 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Admin

Hong Kong’s Marine Department (MD) on Wednesday (3 June) launched the Quality Bunker Operator Scheme to encourage bunker operators to install and use mass flow meter systems (MFM systems) on their bunker vessels.

MD said the scheme aims to enhance Hong Kong’s bunkering service quality and the competitiveness of Hong Kong ports, thereby further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international maritime centre and a major bunkering port.

Under the Scheme, bunker operators of traditional maritime fuel and biodiesel that install and use MFM systems on their bunker vessels, with the MFM systems inspected and certified by an accredited body in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 22192 Standard or equivalent requirements, can apply to the MD for inclusion in the scheme’s “List of Quality Bunker Vessels”, provided they meet the relevant technical and operational requirements.

Details of the bunker vessels successfully included in the List will be published on a dedicated page on the MD’s website for reference by shipping companies and relevant stakeholders.

Participation in the Scheme is voluntary. In addition to receiving recognition from the MD, participating bunker operators will benefit from enhanced corporate image and competitiveness through the adoption of MFM systems, thereby boosting customers’ confidence and helping to create new business opportunities.

A spokesman for the MD, said: “As an international maritime centre supported by our country, Hong Kong has a strategic location adjacent to major international fairways. Coupled with years of development in marine fuel bunkering, Hong Kong possesses rich experience and talent in the field. For many years, Hong Kong has consistently ranked as the seventh-largest bunkering port globally, the second-largest in our country, and the largest in the Greater Bay Area, providing reliable and competitive fuel bunkering services to ocean-going vessels from around the world.

“As the international shipping industry has an increasing demand for accuracy and transparency in bunkering services, service quality and measurement precision in bunkering operations have become important indicators of a bunkering port’s competitiveness. The Scheme will enhance bunkering accuracy and transparency, further enhancing the quality of Hong Kong’s bunkering services.

The spokesman added that comprehensive port services are one of Hong Kong’s key advantages as an international maritime centre.

“We will also mandate the use of MFM systems on all methanol bunker vessels this year to ensure that Hong Kong continues to provide high-quality bunkering services in the era of green maritime fuels.”

Note: The application form for the Scheme can be found on the MD’s website. Interested bunker operators can download the application form from the website or contact the MD’s Green Maritime Fuel Team via email ([email protected]) for details.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 4 June, 2026

Alternative Fuels

MPA and MSC ink MoU to support adoption of alternative bunker fuels

MPA and MSC will explore new routes and services to strengthen connectivity, support the adoption of alternative marine fuels such as bio-LNG, and advance technologies to improve vessel energy efficiency.

Published

8 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Admin

MPA and MSC ink MoU to support adoption of alternative bunker fuels

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (3 June) said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company to strengthen collaboration in maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation, innovation, and manpower development.

The MoU was signed on 25 May 2026 by Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, and Mr Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer of MSC.

The MoU underscores the shared commitment of MPA and MSC to foster a sustainable, digital, and future-ready maritime sector, while enhancing MSC’s operational and business activities in Singapore. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of MSC establishing its Asia Regional Office and local office in Singapore.

Under the MoU, MPA and MSC will explore new routes and services to strengthen connectivity, support the adoption of alternative marine fuels such as bio-LNG, and advance technologies to improve vessel energy efficiency and operational performance.

MPA and MSC will also collaborate on maritime digitalisation initiatives to improve operational efficiency, including streamlining vessel arrivals and port operations.

On manpower development, MSC will support internship and scholarship opportunities through Singapore Maritime Foundation’s Maritime Outreach Network (MaritimeONE) platform, an industry-led tripartite partnership comprising industry, government and institutes of higher learning that aims to raise awareness of the maritime industry and attract quality talent into the maritime sector.

Mr Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “This partnership reflects the strong collaboration between MPA and MSC in driving sustainability and digitalisation in the maritime sector. By working together on decarbonisation, operational efficiency and talent development, we aim to strengthen Maritime Singapore’s position as a trusted and future-ready global maritime hub.”

Mr Soren Toft, Chief Executive Officer of MSC, said: “Singapore is a strategically important hub for MSC and a key gateway to the broader Asia region. As we mark 30 years in Singapore, this MOU reinforces our long-term commitment to strengthening our presence here. MSC and Singapore are closely aligned on the priorities shaping the future of global shipping, and we look forward to deepening this partnership to drive the continued growth and resilience of the maritime industry.”

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 4 June, 2026

Emissions reporting

StormGeo and OceanScore link emissions data, compliance workflows

Cooperation combines StormGeo’s expertise in operational vessel and emissions data with OceanScore’s expertise in emissions compliance workflows across EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and UK ETS requirements.

Published

9 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Admin

StormGeo and OceanScore link emissions data, compliance workflows

Weather intelligence and decision support solutions provider StormGeo and Hamburg-based technology platform OceanScore on Wednesday (3 June) said they have deepened their ongoing cooperation through the signing of a collaboration agreement during Posidonia 2026 in Athens on 2 June.

The cooperation combines StormGeo’s expertise in operational vessel and emissions data with OceanScore’s expertise in emissions compliance workflows across EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and upcoming UK ETS requirements.

Together, the companies aim to help shipping companies seamlessly navigate increasing regulatory complexity more efficiently — from emissions reporting and data validation to compliance exposure management, pooling and financial settlement.

As emissions regulation becomes an increasingly important part of commercial shipping operations, the need for reliable operational data and streamlined compliance processes continues to grow. The cooperation between StormGeo and OceanScore is designed to support shipping companies with more connected, transparent and actionable processes across operational and commercial teams.

“From the outside, companies like StormGeo and OceanScore may sometimes be perceived as competitors because both operate around emissions and compliance workflows,” said Albrecht Grell, Managing Director at OceanScore.

“But in reality, the industry increasingly needs both perspectives working together: trusted operational emissions data on one side and commercial compliance execution on the other. Our cooperation reflects that shipping companies are no longer looking for isolated solutions — they need connected processes, automated across different systems and reliable decision-making throughout the full compliance chain.”

By connecting validated operational emissions data with commercial compliance management, the cooperation supports workflows across:

emissions reporting and validation
compliance management across EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime and upcoming UK ETS requirements
exposure visibility and cost transparency
pooling, settlement and financial processes

The cooperation also aims to improve commercial transparency and coordination across operational and commercial stakeholders.

“StormGeo plays a central role in helping shipping companies turn operational vessel and emissions data into trusted, decision-ready insights,” said Espen Martinsen, Chief Commercial Officer at StormGeo.

“As emissions regulations become more complex, this data is essential for transparent and efficient compliance management. By working with OceanScore, we can help customers connect StormGeo’s validated operational data with commercial compliance processes, creating a more integrated and practical approach to emissions management.”

The signing ceremony took place at the StormGeo booth during Posidonia 2026 in Athens and was attended by representatives from both companies.

Both companies expect the cooperation to continue evolving alongside upcoming regulatory developments, including FuelEU Maritime, EU ETS, the upcoming UK ETS and future emissions-related frameworks affecting global shipping.

Photo credit: StormGeo
Published: 4 June, 2026