LNG as a transition fuel for shipping in emission control areas

Abstract

Since the turn of the century, the reduction of the adverse effect humanity has had on the environment has been a critical factor for our survival. The maritime industry, responsible for the transportation of over 90% of global trade, generates approximately 3% of annual greenhouse emissions. This project examines ways of reducing the emissions ocean-going vessels generate whilst in port. Real power requirement data were collected from various commercial vessels (tankers, bulk carriers, and a containership) around the world. All analyses throughout this project were performed using actual data obtained from commercial vessels, as mentioned previously. Both on-board and on-shore (cold ironing) power generation methods were examined for the production of the power vessels require while in port for their cargo handling operations. The emission reducing effects of storing and using LNG on-board ocean-going vessels was examined in comparison to conventional marine fuels (IFO, MDO, and MGO) as well as cold ironing techniques (coal and natural gas). After extensive analysis of the fuels mentioned above, it appears that a mixture of LNG with a small concentration of MDO has the most advantageous environmental effects for the shipping industry. Dual-fuel auxiliary engines, as well as specific commercially available LNG storage tanks, have been assumed to be installed on-board the vessels under examination. In addition to the emission analysis performed on the use of LNG as a primary marine fuel while vessels are in ports, an economic evaluation of such a venture was performed. The economic evaluation concluded that LNG has both tremendous emission reducing effects as well as monetary benefits for ship owner/operates. Therefore, it was concluded that the use of LNG in the maritime industry, and especially for the power generation whilst vessels are in port, is a win-win combination for both the ship owners'/operators' pocket as well as the overall environment.