Shipping and energy firms collaborate to address methane emissions from shipping
A coalition of firms including oil major Shell and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has launched an initiative to manage methane emissions from LNG-fueled vessels.
PHOTO: Seaspan's LNG bunker vessel. Seaspan
The coalition also includes US-based Carnival Cruise Line, Hong Kong-based containership management firm Seaspan, classification society Lloyd's Register, Norwegian firm Knutsen and Maran Gas Maritime, an LNG shipping unit of the Greek Angelicoussis Shipping Group.
Through the Methane Abatement in Maritime (MAM) programme, these firms aim to reduce the environmental impact of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in shipping and aid the transition to future fuels.
Members will identify and pilot new technologies to monitor and reduce 'methane slip' from LNG-fuelled vessels. After securing validation for these technologies, they will endorse them to the industry from next year.
As compared to traditional marine fuels, LNG is widely understood to emit less carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. But its environmental benefits could be negated due to the tendency of LNG-powered vessels to leak methane during combustion, the coalition argues.
Andreas Spertos, EVP-technical director of Maran Gas Maritime says, “in light of the strong warming potential of methane releases to the atmosphere, keeping tight control over methane emissions is critical to ensure that LNG’s overall GHG (greenhouse gas) footprint delivers as much GHG reduction as possible versus conventional marine fuels.”
By Konica Bhatt
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