RINA, a world-leading inspection, certification and consulting engineering multinational and ROTOBOOST, a global hydrogen technology company, have joined the SEA-LNG coalition. With both organisations leading efforts to further cut emissions from LNG, their teams’ knowledge will boost SEA-LNG’s global reach and expertise across the LNG value chain.

RINA plays a significant role in the LNG industry. Previously, it has carried out technology qualification, surveying during construction and classification of the first offshore Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU). RINA has also classified the world’s first LNG-fuelled cruise ship and participated in various international research studies on using LNG as a marine fuel.

RINA recently announced a contract for the design, approval and construction supervision of the fourth and fifth Excel-class cruise ships for SEA-LNG member Carnival, with all vessels powered by LNG. In addition, a RINA-led study reveals that Well-to-Wake emissions in the Pilbara-to-Asia iron ore export trade route can be reduced by over 90% by 2050 through the use of LNG.

ROTOBOOST, a global hydrogen technology company, has developed a unique pre-combustion carbon removal system based on Thermo-Catalytic Decomposition (TCD). This enables decarbonisation by targeting carbon reduction at its source. The technology can be equipped onboard vessels and can contribute to direct methane and carbon dioxide abatement in scenarios such as converting boil-off gas to hydrogen and using it as drop-in fuel in engines to minimise methane slip on LNG-fuelled vessels. SEA-LNG’s latest fact sheet seeks to dispel the myths about methane slip.

Peter Keller, SEA-LNG chairman, commented: “The shipping industry’s decarbonisation debate is moving from theoretical discussions about what might work in the long-term future to what is practical and realistic right now. RINA and ROTOBOOST provide expertise, experience, and technological solutions that further unlock the potential of LNG and its pathway as the leading alternative marine fuel for the shipping industry today. Like other members, they are actively demonstrating how we can chart a pragmatic course to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from marine fuels through developments in liquefied biomethane and e-methane. These combined efforts are highlighted in our fact sheets, with the latest on methane slip published today.”

Antonios Trakakis, Greece Marine Technical Support Director, RINA, said: “SEA-LNG is the logical next step for our determination to enable the sector to reach its decarbonisation goals. The need to transition away from fossil fuels is widely recognised. However, not all fuels are created equal. The combustion of LNG produces fewer air pollutants compared to liquid fuels and offers significant near-term emissions reductions. LNG can be gradually replaced by bio-LNG and eventually e-LNG or even be reformed to produce hydrogen onboard. The H2 produced can then be used directly as fuel, without the need to store, and its combustion with LNG can drastically reduce fugitive methane emission.”

Kaisa Nikulainen, CEO, ROTOBOOST, said: “Technology will be critical in meeting the shipping industry’s decarbonisation challenge. In combination with LNG as a marine fuel, our solution can further boost the emissions reduction performance of the fuel with direct methane and carbon dioxide abatement by converting LNG or boil-off gas into hydrogen and solid carbon and using it as blend in fuel for downstream users such as engines or boilers. It’s clear that with SEA-LNG, we are joining a collective that spans the global LNG marine fuel value chain and actively enabling the transition to net-zero, starting right now.”