Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has joined SEA-LNG, a multi-sector industry alliance formed to show the benefits of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) pathway as a road to maritime decarbonisation.
MSC’s first five newbuild dual-fuel LNG capable cargo vessels entered service in 2022.
The shipping giant aims to maintain a contemporary fleet that will accelerate progress towards net zero decarbonisation by replacing traditional fuel boats with dual-fuel capable vessels, particularly those powered by LNG, in the short term.
In the cruise industry, the business has introduced the MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia, both of which were powered by bio-LNG on their inaugural voyages.
READ: MSC’s Far East-Pacific Northwest route shift postponed due to Canada’s strikes
Bud Darr, Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy & Government Affairs MSC Group, said: “We are committed to catalysing the development, accessibility and uptake of net zero fuels and believe we have found another excellent partner to help continue to drive the industry in this direction.
“We look forward to working with SEA-LNG to further assess and collaborate on the exciting long-term prospects of bio-LNG, and particularly renewable synthetic LNG, as mainstream marine fuel molecules.
“In alignment with our net-zero commitments by 2050, we view fossil-based LNG as a fuel in transition, and fully expect bio and renewable synthetic LNG to be a key part of our longer-term multi-fuel strategy for deploying net zero fuels.”
READ: MSC’s largest containership named in Bremerhaven
MSC is currently investigating a variety of alternative fuels and propulsion technologies to help the company go even closer to net zero, and the vessel operator views cross-sector collaboration as critical to scaling these solutions for the maritime industry.
MSC aims to run its vessels on a variety of fuel choices in the future, with a focus on those that may become accessible at scale in the next several years.
The Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII) and the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) are both active partners and members of MSC.
Peter Keller, Chairman of SEA-LNG, stated: “As one of the world’s leading shipping companies, MSC’s decision to work with our coalition of companies across the LNG value chain demonstrates its confidence in the LNG pathway as a viable solution for flexibly advancing shipping along its decarbonisation journey.”
Keller further emphasized the advantages of LNG: “LNG is available at scale for deep sea shipping. Existing LNG infrastructure can accommodate bio-LNG and renewable synthetic LNG as they become increasingly accessible, lowering investment barriers.
“Waiting is not an option; the LNG pathway offers immediate decarbonisation benefits and a route to net-zero shipping.”
https://www.porttechnology.org/news/msc-becomes-the-latest-coalition-member-to-join-sea-lng/
