Although the liquefied natural gas is in the top list of shipping’s best alternative to high sulphur fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has entered into the shipping industry and aims to accommodate itself in the marine fuel market.
LPG considered to be a clean, energy efficient and portable fuel with an affordable price tag, while is readily available across global.
At the meantime, it is sourced generally from natural gas and oil production operations, but as new technologies and techniques arise, LPG can be further produced from renewable sources.
For the records, LPG is a mixture of propane and butane, meaning that in case of leakage vapours, will accumulate in the lower portion of the surrounding area. In fact, LPG is already a preferred fuelling solution for the LPG carriers.
Moreover, the World LPG Association (WLPGA) made clear that LPG will play a major role towards IMO’s 2050 regulation, which calls for greenhouse gas emissions’ reduction by at least 50% until 2050 in comparison with 2008.
With the marine industry under pressure to take measures to reduce emissions to comply with IMO 2020, LPG can make significant inroads into the marine fuel market. To achieve that, LPG propulsion, starting with the LPG carrier sector, needs to move beyond a niche fuel option, to gain the acceptance in the wider shipping sector that it deserves.
…WLPGA noted.
With greater economics incentives expected to be offered in the future, more ship owners and operators will further invest in LPG fueled vessels.
Furthermore, LPG’s growth will be fast-tracked, since the infrastructure for distribution and bunkering is already largely available to serve potential marine market demand. “There are more than 1,000 LPG storage facilities around the world that can be used for LPG bunkering, and more than 700 small size LPG carriers, that can be used for ship-to-ship bunkering”.
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Recently, DNV GL developed new class rules and a class notation for “Gas fuelled LPG” ships in anticipation of growing industry interest, offering owners interested in LPG a straightforward path towards compliance with the alternative design approach mandated by the IGF Code.
In light of the situation, the World LPG Association (WLPGA) has published a “Guide for LPG Marine Fuel Supply”, which is dedicated to the use of LPG in the marine sector and its benefits. The report, presents an overview of key LPG bunkering developments and how this potential infrastructure relates to major global shipping routes.
As a vision, I want to see LPG positioned as a relevant fuel for the future with a recognised role in the decarbonisation of our planet. The key challenge is the drive to decarbonise our planet and how we position LPG as part of the solution and not the problem.
…Henry Cubbon, president of WLPGA concluded.
