The Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) informed that it will have an LNG bunker study draft ready until Gastech 2018, in September. Namely, Life Cycle Analysis project aims to analyze GHG emission of LNG systems, which incorporate solutions that comply with the upcoming 2020 sulphur cap.
As SGMF’s General Manager, Mark Bell said, the Environmental Committee is currently overseeing the Life Cycle Analysis project, along with ThinkStep. The project wants to provide a better picture regarding the ability of LNG bunkers to limit GHG emissions.
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However, Mr. Bell noted that the project requires a large collection of data from the entire up, mid and downstream value chain. This might lead to some delays, but a draft of the study will probably be ready for Gastech 2018 this September in Barcelona.
Mark Bell said:
I give you my assurance that once this benchmark study is completed, we will have a powerful tool at our disposal to help dispel inaccurate and often erroneous statements made about clean marine fuel choices.
In addition, SGMF received Consultative Status at the IMO during July. IMO accepted its application, something which is a “milestone in SGMF’s history and development”, Mr. Bell added.
Such study has already been done for the USA Maritime Administration -MARAD, by truly independent researchers (as opposed to SGMF doing a “study” on the product it promotes). See : Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Bunkering Operations in the Marine Sector: A Total Fuel Cycle Approach, James J. Corbett, Ph.D. University of Delaware, Heather Thomson, Ph.D. University of Delaware, James J. Winebrake, Ph.D. Rochester Institute of Technology, US MARAD, 21 November 2015.
The statement by SGMF General Manager “I give you my assurance that once this benchmark study is completed, we will have a powerful tool at our disposal to help dispel inaccurate and often erroneous statements made about clean marine fuel choices” leaves no doubt on how impartial this study aims to be. Before the study results are evident, he already is sure that the results will dispel “inaccurate and erroneous statements”. Sounds like a study to order. That’s not how Gas will play a bigger role as marine fuel (by directed “studies”). It will play a bigger role when its weaknesses are honestly acknowledged and all stakeholders work to improve them.