LONDON, 7 MARCH 2019: The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has joined SEA-LNG, the multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate the widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is the federal agency of the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest port, and the fourth port member to join the coalition, alongside Port of Rotterdam, Yokohama-Kawasaki International Port Corporation (YKIP), and most recently the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Together, the ports remain committed to supporting the coalition’s vision of a competitive global LNG value chain for cleaner maritime shipping.

SEA-LNG’s vision of a competitive global LNG value chain for cleaner maritime shipping by 2020 has clear synergies with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and British Columbia’s efforts to drive further use of natural gas in the Canadian region. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is working closely with the regional gas supplier, Fortis BC, and with industry, academia and government to advance LNG bunkering in the Port of Vancouver.

Duncan Wilson, Vice President, Environment, Community and Government Affairs of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, commented: “As part of our vision to be the world’s most sustainable port, we engage in a number of emissions management initiatives that help support a healthy environment. This partnership with SEA-LNG represents an opportunity for us to be part of a multi-sector group that is reducing marine shipping emissions and improving air quality.”

SEA-LNG continues to unite key industry players from across the LNG marine value chain, from major LNG suppliers, shipping companies, infrastructure providers, downstream companies, and shipyards, to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), classification societies, port authorities, shipbrokers, and financial institutions, to address the commercial barriers to LNG, particularly in the deep-sea shipping segment.

Together, the coalition advocates for collaboration, demonstration, and communication on key areas such as regulation, emissions, infrastructure, and the economic case, to provide the confidence and demand required for an effective and efficient global LNG value chain by 2020 and beyond.

To date, LNG presents the most promising path to decarbonisation as all other alternative fuels are too embryonic for deep-sea shipping. LNG emits zero sulphur oxides (SOx) and virtually zero particulate matter (PM), and compared to existing heavy marine fuel oils, LNG emits 90% less nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Through the use of best practices and appropriate technologies to minimise methane leakage, realistic reductions of GHG by 10-20% are achievable, with a potential for up to 25% or more as technology develops, compared with conventional oil-based fuels. LNG, in combination with efficiency measures being developed for new ships in response to the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), will provide a way of meeting the IMO’s target of a 40% decrease in GHG by 2030 for international shipping.

SEA-LNG, in conjunction with SGMF, is undertaking studies and developing tools for the industry to better understand the true benefits of LNG from both an air quality and GHG mitigation perspective. The coalition continues to encourage meaningful debate using accurate, independent data which has been academically verified through sound analysis.