Environmental groups launch anti-LNG uptake campaign

A group of environmental NGOs have launched a global campaign to eliminate LNG consumption in shipping.

PHOTO: Chevron’s LNG carrier Asia Excellence at sea. Chevron Shipping Company

A global campaign named “Say No to LNG” was launched last week and aims to stop ships from burning LNG marine fuel. The campaigners argue that LNG is being labelled as a “climate-friendly” alternative to conventional marine fuels, despite LNG having significantly more methane emissions.

LNG is primarily made up of methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) that traps 86 times more heat than CO2 does. “Methane emissions from LNG-fuelled ships increased by 150% between 2012 and 2018,” the Say No to LNG campaigners say, citing an IMO's fourth greenhouse gas study.

When methane slip from upstream and downstream processes are taken into account, then LNG emits about 19% more lifecycle GHG emissions than MGO over a 100-year period, a report from US non-profit International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) shows. Over a 20-year period, LNG has 36% higher GHG emissions than MGO.

Shipowners should avoid placing LNG-fuelled newbuild orders, the Say No to LNG campaigners maintain. They also point to LNG-fuelled vessels as "financially risky" investments because of volatile LNG prices and geopolitical risks.

The name “natural gas” creates a perception among the public that LNG is a sustainable fuel, environment NGO Opportunity Green says.

Meanwhile, SEA-LNG, a pro-LNG lobbyist, argues that tank-to-wake methane slip is no longer a valid argument to use against LNG, as recent technological advancements in LNG-fuelled ship engines have mostly resolved this problem.

SEA-LNG has cited a study by the US-based sustainable consulting firm Sphera, which found that ship engine manufacturers expect LNG engines to have negligible levels of methane slip by 2030 due to engine technology improvements.

Website link to: http://www.saynotolng.org/

By Nithin Chandran

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