Alternative Fuels

SEA-LNG slams ‘Say No to LNG’: Campaign based on ‘false contention’

‘SNtL brings no new evidence to the table, simply rehashing existing flawed analysis, based on old technologies and unrealistic assumptions, cherry-picking data and stating facts out of context,’ says SEA-LNG.

Published

2 years ago

April 17, 2023

Admin

Global multi-sector industry coalition SEA-LNG on Friday (14 April) responded to recent comments from the ‘Say No to LNG’ campaign which it said ‘seeks to misrepresent the clear benefits of the LNG pathway to decarbonisation and overstate its challenges’:

A robust NGO sector is key to shaping the energy transition in the maritime sector, bringing in the voices of civil society, academia and other stakeholders outside government and the private sector. There are many good examples of progressive NGOs looking to engage positively with the maritime industry on the basis of sound science.

Organisations that have as their stated negative goal “to urge policymakers, industry stakeholders, and financial institutions to urgently rule LNG out of any shipping decarbonization scenario”, while offering no viable alternatives have no place in a responsible dialogue.

Say No to LNG (SNtL) bases its campaign on a false contention, suggesting the industry is hiding the issue of methane emissions. SNtL states “What they don’t tell you is that LNG replaces CO2 emissions with methane emissions….” when the opposite is true.

The industry has been open about methane emissions, recognising it is an issue which needs to be addressed with urgency and has undertaken publicly available, peer-reviewed GHG emissions analysis on primary data from all major marine engine manufacturers.

Levels of methane slip have been reduced by a factor of four since LNG-fuelled engines were introduced in the early 2000s and today, the LNG-fuelled vessel order book is dominated by engine technologies with low, or negligible levels of methane slip. The industry is engaged in projects to measure operational methane emissions from a variety of vessel and engine types. In September 2022, it launched an initiative, the Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII), to monitor, measure and abate methane emissions in the maritime supply chain.

SNtL brings no new evidence to the table, simply rehashing existing flawed analysis, based on old technologies and unrealistic assumptions, cherry-picking data and stating facts out of context. For our responses to the reports cited by SNtL please see the following links UCL, ICCT and the World Bank.

To align with the Paris Agreement’s legally binding treaty to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees C, shipping needs a basket of fuels as well as operational and technical efficiency measures. These fuels must be evaluated on a like-for-like scientific basis so that the industry can make properly informed decisions. LNG, is a step in the right direction as it provides immediate reductions in GHG emissions, including methane, of up to 23% on a full, lifecycle (or Well-to-Wake) basis and it offers a low-cost, low-risk incremental pathway to decarbonisation via bio-LNG and renewable synthetic LNG (e-LNG). In addition it virtually eliminates harmful local emissions, such as SOX and NOX.

Narratives promoted by organisations like SNtL risk delaying the investments needed to decarbonise the shipping industry. Rather than disparaging the considerable efforts that first-movers have made in initiating the first transformation in maritime propulsion since the move from coal to oil, perhaps they could reflect on how they could constructively work with the industry to address the numerous common challenges the introduction of these new fuels face.

Photo credit: Cameron Venti from Unsplash
Published: 17 April, 2023

Newbuilding

Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK

“Green Future” was delivered at Tsuneishi factory on 13 May and will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, an NYK Group company, from Kambara Kisen.

Published

24 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Admin

Tsuneishi delivers world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulker to NYK

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding on Wednesday (14 May) said it has delivered the world’s first methanol dual-fuel Ultramax bulk carrier, Green Future.

The 65,700 dwt vessel was delivered at its factory on 13 May and will be chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers, an NYK Group company, from Kambara Kisen.

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding said the vessel maintains the high cargo capacity and fuel efficiency characteristic of the TESS66 Aeroline design series, while enabling more sustainable operations through the use of methanol as a fuel.

The methanol fuel tank has been positioned to maximise safety and facilitate smooth cargo handling while maintaining loading efficiency. It is also equipped with a fuel-efficient main engine and Tsuneishi’s proprietary Aeroline technology to reduce wind resistance, delivering superior fuel performance.

Mr Okumura Sachio, Representative Director, President & Executive Officer of Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, said: “This delivery marks just the beginning. We will continue constructing methanol dual-fuelled vessels at our overseas facilities and remain steadfast in our pursuit of technological innovation to contribute to a more sustainable maritime industry and global environment.”

NYK said the vessel is the first bulk carrier in the NYK Group to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that uses methanol and fuel oil.

Vessel Particulars

LOA: 199.99 m
Breadth: 32.25 m
Depth: 19.15 m
Deadweight: approx. 65,700 metric tonnes
Capacity: approx. 81,500 m3
Draft: 13.8 m

Photo credit: Tsuneishi Shipbuilding
Published: 15 May, 2025

Events

Green Shiptech China Congress to explore alternative bunker fuels and ship technologies

LNG, methanol and ammonia as well as fuel cell integration will be among key issues discussed at the annual conference which will be held on 25 to 26 September in Shanghai.

Published

24 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Admin

Ridge China on Wednesday (14 May) announced it will be hosting the 14th Green Shiptech China Congress (GSCC), an annual conference which will be held on 25 to 26 September in Shanghai.

More than 4,400 experts and decision makers from governments, classification societies, shipowners, shipyards, research institutes, technology/equipment suppliers and consulting companies attended the previous GSCC from 2012 to 2024.

For 2025, over 400 industry experts, corporate decision makers and government officials will be engaged in comprehensive discussions on current issues of IMO, EU, USCG, China MSA’s policies and regulations, designs and standards for new ship models, innovative and sustainable green ship technologies at this annual conference.

Alternative bunker fuels such as LNG, methanol and ammonia as well as fuel cell integration will be part of the important issues discussed at the event.

Speakers will be from

IMO
European Commission
U.S. Coast Guard
China MSA
Financial Institutions
Maritime Research Institutes
Solution & Technology Providers
Shipowners
Shipyards
Classification Societies

Key topics

Policies and Regulations Update and Interpretate by IMO, European Commission, U.S. Coast Guard and China MSA
Retrofitting Vessels to Achieve Decarbonization Goals
Energy Efficiency Continues to Be Key for Decarbonization
Decarbonization Through Digitalization
Digital Technologies As a Key Enabler for Emissions Reduction
Impact of a Hull Coating Upgrade on Hull Efficiency
LNG As Marine Fuel: Pivoting Towards Cleaner Shipping
Methanol As a Marine Fuel
Ammonia’s Credentials As a Green Fuel
Wind Propulsion Technology
Fuel Cell Integration: Upcoming Challenges and Opportunity
Propelling Carbon-neutral Shipping with Green Engines and Alternative Fuels
Next-generation Electric and Hybrid Marine Propulsion Technologies and Components
Latest Developments in Energy Storage Systems

Interested parties may contact:

Mr. Quin Xu
Tel: +86 21 6607 8610 -8003
Mob: +86 13564222811
Email: [email protected]

Note: The English and Chinese version of the event website can be found here and here respectively while the event registration can be found here.

Photo credit: Ridge China
Published: 15 May, 2025

Biofuel

Burando Energies completes B30 bunkering operation for Teekay Tankers

Firm delivered a bespoke blend of VLSFO containing 30% ISCC Certified FAME Residue to Teekay Tankers in Port of Amsterdam.

Published

24 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Admin

Burando Energies completes B30 bunkering operation for Teekay Tankers

European marine fuel supplier Burando Energies on Wednesday (14 May) said it has successfully completed a bunkering operation for Teekay Tankers, delivering a bespoke blend of Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) containing 30% ISCC Certified FAME Residue in the Port of Amsterdam.

By blending its VLSFO with FAME Residue, Burando Energies said it is able to provide a scalable solution that meets both commercial and environmental targets.

“We are proud to support Teekay Tankers in taking concrete steps toward sustainable operations,” said Nick de Haan, Head of Decarbonisation Strategies at Burando Energies.

“This delivery showcases our ability to meet the evolving fuel demands of the global shipping industry with innovative, lower-carbon solutions that are also commercially viable.”

FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters) Residue is a renewable, second-generation bio-component derived from waste oils and residual feedstocks from biodiesel production. Unlike conventional biodiesel, FAME Residue is considered a more economical and circular option, offering a reduced carbon footprint at a lower cost.

Through extensive testing and evaluation, Burando Energies has secured a consistent, FAME Residue stream that blends well with VLSFO and maintains full compatibility with existing marine engines. The result is a drop-in fuel blend that lowers lifecycle emissions while enhancing both operational efficiency and fuel flexibility.

“Teekay Tankers has partnered with Burando for many years and has worked with us on the first FAME Residue biofuel delivery in Amsterdam,” said Mads Bjornebye, Manager Bunker Services at Teekay Tankers.

“Burando coordinated closely with both our Technical and Commercial teams to ensure a smooth delivery.”

Photo credit: Burando Energies
Published: 15 May, 2025