LNG and Methanol "Most Promising" Alternative to Conventional Bunkers: EC

LNG and Methanol “Most Promising” Alternative to Conventional Bunkers: EC

The European Commission (EC) says that a new study from the Joint Research Centre (JRC) shows that

fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and methanol are “the most promising” alternatives to

conventional bunkers for reducing shipping sector emissions.”Results show that from a long-term

perspective, moving to LNG and methanol is strategically attractive as each of the two fuels has a biofuel

counterpart, biomethane and biomethanol,” the EC said.

EC says that vessels and infrastructure built for LNG and methanol can also supply bio methane and bio

methanol “without a large overhaul,” making it possible to use the two fuels as transition bunkers

before completing a shift to biofuels.

However, their potential use will depend on a number of factors, including environmentally sustainable

biomass feedstock for their production, cost-effective production technologies and ultimately on their

market penetration.

“The EU aims to shift some of the road transport load to the more efficient marine and inland

waterways systems,” said EC, noting that a specific renewable fuel mandate for shipping could

complement the current road transport mandate.

Further, EC notes that the results of December’s COP21 summit in Paris makes this an advantageous

time to invest in the shipping industry’s decarbonisation.

The news comes on the heels of EC’s announcement last week that it has extended the deadline for

applications to select members of the European Sustainable Shipping Forum (ESSF) from May 2 to May

10, 2016.

“Bearing in mind the broader aspects of sustainable shipping to be covered by the ESSF, and the

significant interest from organisations who have not applied to the first call for members (25/09/2013),

the Commission has decided to organise a new call for applications and to increase the total number of

participants in the Forum from 60 to 68 members,” states EC.

In February, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced that it will be working with EC to

reduce emissions from the shipping industry.