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The CEO of the LNG Marine Fuel Institute (LMFI), Captain Walter Purio, says MARPOL Annex VI 2020 requirements and the establishment of strict SOx and NOx Tier III Emission Control Areas (ECAs) will put short-term compliance methods such as scrubbers, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) into the "'too hard' basket", given the international nature of the shipping business.

Whilst Purio concedes that renewables would be "the end game" for sustainable green energy, he sees LNG as a "transitional fuel" that would be capable of meeting the environmental and economical needs of maritime fleets.

In terms of the biggest challenges for ship owners to convert to LNG, Purio thinks the principal challenge will be to efficiently schedule and complete every vessel docking for conversion to LNG as quickly as possible so as to ensure that the ship is out of service for as little time as necessary.

Established in Australia, the LMFI is a non-governmental organisation set up to promote the safe and best-practice use of gas as a marine fuel in the Southern Hemisphere.

The LMFI aims to provide support, advocacy, training and consultation to businesses, governments and organisations regarding the use of LNG as a marine fuel across Australasia.

"Australia is blessed with significant natural iron ore and gas resources located in relatively close proximity to one another," Purio points out. "This geographic fact, coupled with Australia's need for increased energy security, improved balance of payments and obvious improved public health, are the main drivers for establishing the LNG Marine Fuel Institute."

In order to promote best-practice in the use of gas as a marine fuel, the LMFI has developed an initiative entitled 'Improve Energy Security in Australia'.

The LMFI is keen to ensure that Australia meets its energy security goals and that it is a first-mover in establishing ECAs to drive the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel in the Southern Hemisphere.

As previously reported, Australia's first LNG bunker operation was completed at the port of Dampier on January 23. The Siem Offshore-owned Siem Thiima was supplied with LNG during a truck-to-ship delivery carried out by EVOL LNG for vessel operator Woodside Energy - Australia's largest independent oil and gas company and a key LNG player in the country.

In February, Woodside Energy outlined the creation of a Burrup Peninsula 'hub' in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The plan includes the development of facilities that would enable the distribution of LNG in the Pilbara region for use as a marine fuel.

Another project, the Green Corridor initiative, announced in January, is to assess the commercial potential of LNG-fuelled vessels in a 'green corridor' between Australian and China, culminating in the creation of a next-generation LNG-powered Capesize bulker.

Purio is scheduled to speak at the upcoming LNG Fuel Summit, which is due to be held in Amsterdam from June 13-15.