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Hamburg, 19 March 2010 -
"Gas as ship fuel" was the topic of yesterday's
GL First Class Exchange Forum which highlighted GL's approach towards
the environmental concerns of the maritime industry. The forum addressed
all aspects related to LNG as an alternative ship fuel.
Invited speakers presented the LNG supply chain development from a ship
owner's and gas terminal operator's view. Regulatory developments at IMO
were explained by a representative of the Federal Ministry of Transport,
Building and Urban Affairs, Germany.. Details about a joint industry
project on a gas-fuelled container feeder vessel were discussed by
representatives of Germanischer Lloyd (GL), MAN Diesel and TGE Marine
Gas Engineering, a specialist in the design and construction of cargo
handling systems for ships and offshore units carrying liquefied
cryogenic gases. Flensburger Schiffbaugesellschaft (FSG) evaluated first
results of the research project GasPax while the issue of gas bunkering
was addressed by GL.
In his introduction Torsten Schramm, COO of GL's Maritime Services,
raised the question, how the maritime industry could reduce its
environmental impact while remaining competitive, or even better, save
costs. "In the end, emissions boil down to the quality of fuel. We all
know that heavy fuel oil has its merits cost wise but contributes to a
rather negative image of shipping."
Dr. Pierre C. Sames, GL's Senior Vice President Strategic Research and
Development, mentioned that there appears to be general consensus on
developing gas engines that can be used on vessels operating regular or
shorter routes. Coastal shipping, which accounts for more than 33% of
the world's fleet, will be subject to more stringent controls than liner
container vessels. "LNG fuel is a viable alternative to heavy fuel oil,"
he said. The environmental benefits of LNG as a fuel are well
documented, with zero sulphur-oxide emissions and much lower CO2 as well
as significantly reduced nitrogen-oxide and particle emissions compared
to standard marine fuels. "Coastal traffic can benefit from LNG fuel,
especially as regional emission control areas are tightened or coming
into force."
More than 140 experts from all over Europe gathered at GL's new head
office in Hamburg to discuss the status and trends of using gas as ship
fuel. The opportunity to analyse the implication of LNG as ship fuel
correlates with discussions at IMO. Its sub-committee on Bulk Liquids
and Gases (BLG) is working on new regulations to meet present demands
for safety standards in the use of natural gas as a marine fuel. Interim
guidelines by IMO are available in June 2010 and the IGF-Code is planned
to enter into force with the SOLAS 2014 revision. GL will publish its
own guideline on using gas as a fuel in the beginning of April 2010 to
complement IMO interim guidelines.
The next GL First Class Exchange Forum will deal with the topic of
safety and design aspects of passenger vessels and is planned for the
end of April.
Media contact:
GL Group Corporate Communications
Germanischer Lloyd | GL Noble Denton | FutureShip | GL Maritime Software
Tel. +49 (0)40-36149-4509, Fax +49 (0)40-36149-250, pr@gl-group.com
Your contacts are Dr. Olaf Mager and Stefanie Normann-Birkholz.
www.gl-group.com | www.gl-nobledenton.com | www.futureship.net |
www.gl-maritime-software.com |
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