The Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII) welcomed seven new members at a Lloyd’s Register LNG Forum event in Doha, Qatar.
The Methane Abatement in Maritime (MAM) Innovation Initiative, launched on September 6th, 2022 by a coalition of shipping leaders, aims to reduce the environmental impact of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in shipping while assisting the transition to future fuel solutions. MAMII’s current members include Maran Gas Maritime, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Carnival Corporation & Plc, Seaspan Corporation, Shell, Lloyd’s Register and Knutsen Group.
New members of the MAMII include CoolCo, United Overseas Management, Capital Gas, Celsius Tankers, Global Meridian Holdings, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and TMS Cardiff Gas. Led by Safetytech Accelerator, MAMII was formed to identify, accelerate and advocate technology solutions for the maritime industry to measure and manage methane emissions activity. In doing so, it aims to minimize the environmental impact of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in shipping, whilst aiding the transition to future fuel solutions.
The new members bring a wealth of expertise from across the LNG value chain to the initiative, in a signal that they hope shows the industry’s action to tackle methane emissions in maritime is strengthening. Compared with traditional marine fuels, LNG is widely understood to generate less carbon dioxide (CO2), and emit less nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter, for the same propulsion power. This makes it a popular and widely used transition fuel.
However, analysis has indicated that the environmental benefits of using LNG could be partially negated due to any unburned methane passing through the combustion process. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, estimated to have a Global Warming Potential of 27-30 over 100 years, while CO2 has a GWP of 1 regardless of time period used.
In its first six months, MAMII has already mapped the LNG fuel landscape from the well to the ship, identified key measurements required, and has identified a range of potential new technology for measurement onboard ships. The progress of MAMII comes at a time when methane abatement initiatives are gaining traction globally, such as the Green Ray project which recently won funding from the European Union.
The initiative is chaired by Panos Mitrou, Lloyd’s Register’s Global Gas Director, and directed by Safetytech Accelerator’s Head of Partnerships, Steve Price.
