eBlue_economy_Considerations for LNG as Marine Fuel
Switching to liquified natural gas (LNG) has the potential to reduce a vessel’s CO2 footprint by up to 20 percent. Here are some design and operational factors to consider in using LNG as a marine fuel:
The LNG fuel containment system design must factor in the optimal operating profile while the vessel is in transit and when it stops, loads, awaits orders, etc.
LNG is stored in tanks where heat ingress leads to boil-off gas (BOG). This is consumed by engines or re-liquified to maintain tank pressure, thus temperature and pressure control of bunkers are an area of concern
The type of containment system, BOG management system, and combustion process impact total GHG emissions
For LNG, the type of vessel, expected trade route, bunkering conditions, bunker tank size, and build and maintenance locations can also impact the engine choice and gas fuel handling system.
