Wed 23 May 2012, 14:51 GMT

Study examines LNG as fuel for container ships


Joint study looks at the costs and benefits of using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel for container vessels.



Germanischer Lloyd (GL) and MAN SE have launched a joint advisory study that examines the costs and benefits of using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel for container vessels.

Using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as ship fuel has recently gained more attention not only in Europe, but also in Asia and the USA.

New, stringent regulations are forcing the shipping industry to rethink its fuelling options. Emissions controls, introduced by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee, combined with the introduction of emission control areas in European, U.S. and Canadian territorial waters, will have a profound impact on international shipping over the next ten years. LNG is an attractive alternative to conventional marine fuels.

Can the use of LNG as marine fuel help the industry to meet these challenges? In this web-special GL looks at this potentially game changing technology, informs about GL's own guidelines for gas as ship fuel and the development of rules and design concepts for LNG-fuelled vessels.

Ship owners interested in LNG as ship fuel are currently facing a number of questions regarding the costs and the possible benefits of using such technology.

They wish to learn whether exhaust gas treatment systems could be the preferred technical solution. At the same time, increasing ship efficiency with advanced waste heat recovery systems becomes feasible.

This suite of technologies is the focus of the GL and MAN joint study on container vessel power generation systems.


American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) logo. ABS introduces nuclear-ready notation for marine and offshore assets  

The classification society has released what it describes as an industry-first notation to support future nuclear conversion of vessels and offshore assets.

AiP handover ceremony for NEXTGEN Energy Hub (NGEH) design. ABS grants approval in principle for Seatrium’s NEXTGEN Energy Hub design  

The hub concept integrates ammonia bunkering, power generation and electric vessel charging in a single unit.

Jumbo Maritime crew aboard vessel. Jumbo orders two methanol-ready L-Class heavy lift vessels from Dajin Heavy Industry  

Dutch heavy lift specialist Jumbo signs newbuilding contract for two 25,000-dwt vessels.

China flag. Zhoushan completes first bonded bunker operation at Majishan port area  

The operation marks full fuel supply coverage across all general cargo terminals in Zhoushan's port system.

US dollar banknotes. Port of Long Beach launches $1m methanol bunkering challenge for oceangoing vessels  

A $1m prize aims to kick-start commercial methanol bunkering at one of North America's busiest ports.

Core Power, Athlos Energy, Deon Policy Institute and ABS logos. Greece floating nuclear study finds no fundamental barriers to implementation  

A PESTLE assessment of floating nuclear power plants in Greece identifies framework gaps, not feasibility barriers.

Northern Pathliner alongside Bergen LNG vessel. Molgas completes LNG cool-down and bunkering for Northern Pathliner at Northern Lights terminal in Norway  

Operation carried out at Øygarden facility, with K Line and Integr8 Fuels in the supply chain.

Rendering of a G2 Ocean OHGC vessel. G2 Ocean expands fleet with six future-fuel ready gantry crane vessels  

Open hatch specialist adds vessels and jet sail technology as part of a broad fleet renewal programme.

CMA CGM Adventure vessel at Port of Mombasa. LNG-powered CMA CGM Adventure makes first call at the Port of Mombasa  

Kenya Ports Authority receives its first large LNG-fuelled container vessel.

Liam Blackmore, Lloyd's Register. Maritime trio shapes IMO safety guidelines for ammonia as marine fuel  

Real-world operational experience feeds directly into new IMO ammonia fuel safety framework.