While the environmental benefits of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) as the most promising alternative marine fuel are clear in relation to local pollutants such as sulphur oxides (SOX), nitrogen oxide (NOX), and particulate matter (PM), various studies have demonstrated different GHG impacts from the use of LNG. These differences have resulted from the studies using different assumptions, methodologies and data.
GHG benefits up to 21% WtW, 28% TtW when compared with oil-based marine fuels, 20% liquefied bio methane (LBM) as a drop-in fuel can reduce GHG emissions by a further 13%
SEA-LNG and SGMF commissioned this Well-to-Wake (WtW) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Lifecycle Research Study on the use of LNG as a marine fuel. Conducted by independent specialist consultants thinkstep, and reviewed by a panel of academic experts, 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.
LNG is the most environmentally-friendly, readily available, fuel for shipping today and in the foreseeable future
The full 154 page report can be downloaded here
Following external commentary on this report, thinkstep prepared an addendum to make our approach more transparent and comprehensible, clarifying some of the calculation methodology used. This addendum can be found here:
WELL-TO-WAKE GHG EMISSION STUDY ON LNG AS A MARINE FUEL