Connect with us

Alternative Fuels

ICCT: Methane slip must be eliminated for renewable LNG bunker fuel to be a feasible solution for shipping

Methane slip from marine engines needs to be virtually eliminated and methane leaks upstream need to be greatly reduced for renewable LNG to contribute in achieving climate goals, says report.
Admin

Published

3 years ago

on

MT pix 25 july 2022 24

An International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) report published on Wednesday (14 September) investigated several assumptions regarding liquefied natural gas (LNG) to help mitigate climate impacts of the maritime shipping sector. 

The report titled Comparing the future demand for, supply of, and life-cycle emissions from bio, synthetic and fossil LNG marine fuels in the European Union was written by authors Bryan Comer, PhD, Jane O’Malley, Liudmila Osipova, PhD, and Nikita Pavlenko. 

The report focused on ships trading with the European Union. It predicted a tripling of demand for LNG as marine fuel between 2019 and 2030, based on trends in fuel consumption. 

It also estimated that renewable LNG will cost seven times more than fossil LNG in 2030 and, therefore, subsidies or other policies would be needed to encourage its use.

The study said the idea that LNG can help mitigate the climate impacts of the maritime shipping sector rests on the assumptions that ships can switch to bio and e-LNG (renewable LNG) in the future and that switching would result in low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

However, for this to happen, there must be enough renewable LNG to meet future demand and using it must result in a substantial reduction in GHG emissions on a life-cycle basis compared to fossil LNG. 

“Understanding whether these assumptions are realistic is important for policymakers, including in the European Union, which has committed to reducing its GHG emissions by at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030 (that is equivalent to a 41% reduction from 2019 levels),” it said. 

The well-to-wake (WTW) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions associated with three 2030 scenarios in the European Union are shown in the figure below. Compare the scenario in which ships use 100% renewable LNG in 2030 (far right, representing a €50 per gigajoule subsidy) to emissions from using 100% fossil in 2019 (far left). 

ICCT: Methane slip must be eliminated for renewable LNG bunker fuel to be a feasible solution for shipping

As shown, using renewable LNG could cut WTW CO2e emissions by 38% based on 100-year global warming potentials (GWP, labeled as CO2e100) but raise emissions 6% based on 20-year GWP (CO2e20) because of methane’s strong near-term warming effects. Focusing on the orange portions of the bars, even using 100% renewable LNG doubles methane emissions compared to 2019; this is primarily because of methane slip from marine engines.

According to the report, for renewable LNG to significantly contribute to achieving climate goals, methane slip from marine engines needs to be virtually eliminated and methane leaks upstream need to be greatly reduced. 

According to the report, methane slip from marine engines needs to be virtually eliminated and methane leaks upstream need to be greatly reduced for renewable LNG to significantly contribute to achieving climate goals. 

“Additionally, methane leaks from onboard fuel tanks and cargo tanks, which researchers are still working to adequately quantify, would need to be near zero. It is important for policymakers and stakeholders to understand that other fuels, including synthetic diesel and green methanol, could offer low life-cycle emissions without the methane problem,” it said. 

Note: The full copy of “Comparing the future demand for, supply of, and life-cycle emissions from bio, synthetic and fossil LNG marine fuels in the European Union” can be found here. 

 

Photo credit: International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)
Published: 16 September 2022

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

LNG Bunkering

Baleària arranges LNG bunkering operations on same day at Port of Barcelona

Occasion marked the first time three bunkering operations were carried out on three different ships on the same day at the same port in Spain.
Admin

Published

14 hours ago

on

May 19, 2025

By

Baleària arranges three LNG bunkering operations on same day in Barcelona

Spanish shipping company Baleària on Thursday (15 May) said it broke an all-time record for the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) with the bunkering of three of its vessels in the port of Barcelona.

The occasion marked the first time three bunkering operations were carried out on three different ships on the same day at the same port in Spain.

The company said the three vessels were fuelled with a total of 2,320 MWh of LNG by eight tankers. 

Fast ferry Margarita Salas was fuelled by three tankers simultaneously. Ferry Martín i Soler was fuelled by two tankers and ferry Bahama Mama was bunkered by another three tankers also. 

“Our commitment to LNG grew by 184% in 2024. Combined with electric propulsion and other eco-efficiency measures, we have managed to reduce our carbon footprint by almost 10% per passenger,” it said. 

 

Photo credit: Baleària
Published: 19 May, 2025

Continue Reading

Biofuel

Cosco-controlled Piraeus Container Terminal offers biofuel bunkering services

PCT, a fully controlled subsidiary of Cosco Shipping Ports, has officially introduced biofuel bunkering services for vessels calling at the Port of Piraeus.

Admin

Published

15 hours ago

on

May 19, 2025

By

Cosco-controlled Piraeus Container Terminal offers biofuel bunkering services

Cosco Shipping Europe, the regional management company of China Cosco Shipping Corporation in the European Region, on Friday (16 May) said biofuel bunkering is now available at Piraeus Container Terminal (PCT) in Greece. 

PCT, a fully controlled subsidiary of Cosco Shipping Ports, has officially introduced biofuel bunkering services for vessels calling at the Port of Piraeus – supporting customers in achieving greener, more sustainable supply chains.

After listening to customer needs, Cosco Shipping (Europe) said PCT swiftly moved into action to re-evaluate legal foundations for biofuel bunkering under ISO 8217:2024 and new Greek regulations.

It added that PCT also partnered with suppliers to provide full-service bunkering options.

 

Photo credit: Cosco Shipping Europe
Published: 19 May, 2025

Continue Reading

Ammonia

ABS answers critical safety questions related to using ammonia as a marine fuel

ABS engineers examined realistic bunkering situations such as STS, terminal-to-ship and truck-to-ship, as well as ammonia dispersion from the vessel due to a leakage incident in the engine room.
Admin

Published

15 hours ago

on

May 19, 2025

By

RESIZED Venti Views on Unsplash

Classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) on Thursday (15 May) published its report to bring together the findings of its advanced research into the performance of ammonia on board.

Critical safety questions such as “how does ammonia behave when it leaks in an engine room?” and “how does a cloud of escaped ammonia disperse during bunkering operations?” are addressed in the latest ABS research.

ABS performed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using advanced tools to quantitatively assess the risks associated with ammonia dispersion in accidental leakage scenarios. 

ABS engineers examined realistic bunkering situations such as ship-to-ship, terminal-to-ship and truck-to-ship, as well as ammonia dispersion from the vessel due to a leakage incident in the engine room.

“This publication provides a comprehensive report of ABS’ efforts to address the challenges and opportunities presented by ammonia as a marine fuel,” said Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Business Development.

“Through detailed analysis of ammonia dispersion studies and emergency evacuation protocols, ABS is contributing to the discourse on safe and supportable maritime fuel alternatives, fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience.”

In addition to CFD simulation analysis, ABS leveraged the latest industry best practices and advancements in software and hardware – including acoustic cameras for detecting and visualizing ammonia leakage – to provide a thorough, three-part framework for owners and operators evaluating ammonia as a cleaner fuel source:

  • Proactive regulatory engagement and risk anticipation
  • Development and implementation of a multifaceted safety framework, combining qualitative and quantitative risk assessments
  • Real-time monitoring and optimized emergency response

Note: Download a copy of the ABS publication Safety Insights for Ammonia as a Marine Fuel here.

 

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 19 May, 2025

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS



Trending