The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) is pleased to announce the results of the Well-to-Wake (WtW) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Lifecycle Research Study on the use of LNG as a marine fuel. Independent consultants of Thinkstep specializing in life cycle analysis conducted the study. SGMF and SEA\LNG commissioned the study.

Dr Oliver Schuller, Team Lead Energy & Mobility at Thinkstep stated, “The main goal of this study is to provide an accurate report of the life-cycle GHG emissions from LNG as a marine fuel compared with conventional marine fuels.”

The study is objective, having been peer-reviewed by a panel of leading academics from key institutions in France, Germany, Japan and the USA.

It is the most accurate study of the life cycle GHG emissions and local pollutants from LNG as a marine fuel compared with current and post-2020 conventional marine fuels as it is done on a complete WtW basis.

The study showed that on an engine technology basis, the absolute WtW emissions reduction benefits for gas fuelled engines today compared with HFO-fuelled ships are between 14% to 21% for 2-stroke slow speed engines; and between 7% to 15% for 4-stroke medium speed engines.

The study is comprehensive, using the latest primary data to assess all major types of marine engines and global sources of supply. The following Original Equipment Manufacturers provided data for the study:

• Caterpillar MaK;
• Caterpillar Solar Turbines;
• General Electric;
• MAN Energy Solutions;
• Rolls Royce (MTU);
• Winterthur Gas & Diesel; and
• Wärtsilä.

The extensive industry experience and practical knowledge of the SEA\LNG-SGMF project oversight team ensured all the data used was the latest and best available.

The study is quality assured, as it assesses the supply and use of LNG as a marine fuel according to ISO standards.

Commenting on the report, SEA\LNG Chairman Peter Keller stated, “The Life Cycle GHG Emission Study is a long-awaited piece of the ‘LNG as a marine fuel’ puzzle. It not only confirms what we already knew in terms of LNG’s immediate impact on air quality, human health and its cleanliness, but clearly highlights the genuine, substantiated GHG benefits of using today’s marine engines capable of burning natural gas. Moving from current Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) to LNG does reduce GHG emissions. LNG does contribute to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) GHG reduction targets. And It is clear that LNG is the most environmentally-friendly marine fuel that is readily available and safe, both today and in the foreseeable future.”

Ongoing optimization in supply chain and engine technology developments will further enhance the benefits of LNG as a marine fuel. Additionally, bioLNG and Synthetic LNG, both fully interchangeable with LNG derived from fossil feedstock, offer the potential for significant additional GHG emissions reductions. For example, a blend of 20% bioLNG as a drop-in fuel can reduce GHG emissions by 13% more when compared to 100% fossil fuel LNG.

SEA\LNG is a UK-registered not for profit collaborative industry foundation serving the needs of its member organizations committed to furthering the use of LNG as an important, environmentally superior maritime fuel.

The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) established to promote safety and industry best practice in the use of gas as a marine fuel.

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