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SEA-LNG: Independent study confirms LNG reduces shipping GHG emissions by 23%

Study was commissioned by industry coalitions SEA-LNG and SGMF; it was also reviewed by a panel of leading independent academic experts from key institutions.
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Global multi-sector industry coalition SEA-LNG on Thursday (25 February) said an independent study has reconfirmed greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions of up to 23% are achievable now from using liquified natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel, depending on the marine technology employed.

This is compared with the emissions of current oil-based marine fuels measured from Well-to-Wake (WtW). The 2nd Lifecycle GHG Emission Study on the use of LNG as a Marine Fuel from Sphera (formerly thinkstep) revisits its 2018/2019 research, using the latest available engine and supply chain data to bring the study fully up to date.

The study, commissioned by industry coalitions SEA-LNG and SGMF, was conducted according to ISO standards. It was also reviewed again by a panel of leading independent academic experts from key institutions in France, Germany, Japan and the USA.

The analysis concluded that, in addition to the considerable air quality benefits it delivers, LNG can “beyond question” contribute significantly to the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) GHG reduction targets.

“The updated Sphera study ensures that the industry has access to comprehensive research that is fully up to date,” said SEA-LNG Chairman Peter Keller.

“It is clear that LNG plays an important role in decarbonisation today with benefits available now.  As we look ahead, it is essential that detailed emissions analysis from Well to Wake such as those performed for LNG are available for all alternative fuels contemplated, enabling shipowners to make the right decisions for their fleet.” 

This comprehensive report uses the latest primary data to assess all major types of marine engines and global sources of supply with quality data provided by original equipment manufacturers including Caterpillar MaK, Caterpillar Solar Turbines, GE, MAN Energy Solutions, Rolls Royce (MTU), Wärtsilä, and Winterthur Gas & Diesel, as well as from ExxonMobil, Shell, and Total on the supply side. 

Methane emissions from the supply chains as well as methane released during the onboard combustion process (methane slip) have been included in the analysis. 

“Often based on outdated data, methane slip has become an overused argument for those wishing to justify inaction.  The Sphera study underlines the advances being made to counteract this concern. Its analysis provides independent confirmation that, by 2030, methane slip will have been virtually eliminated as technological improvements continue,” added Sphera.

“The facts consistently confirm that there is no deep-sea alternative fuel in the short to medium term other than LNG. LNG remains the clear starting point for a carbon-neutral future for shipping, especially as the pathway forward includes bio and synthetic products.”

Importantly, the study also reaffirms that the use of LNG as a marine fuel has significant air quality benefits, with local emissions, such as sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), all close to zero.

“We are confident this work will provide IMO with solid information contributing to its regulatory decisions. SGMF will continue to provide up-to-date data not only for LNG but for all candidate gaseous fuels under its remit, including ammonia and hydrogen,” added Samir Bailouni, chairman, Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF).

“Today, the clear choice for an immediate and significant reduction in emissions is LNG, which is widely available and fully compliant with existing regulations. This is reflected in the rapidly increasing adoption of LNG in the deep-sea container, bulk and tanker sectors, a trend we expect to accelerate even as the more challenging horizon fuels are brought safely and sustainably into the mix.”

The transition to bio and eventually synthetic LNG is straightforward, as the existing infrastructure and engine technology remain the same. The standards, guidelines and operational protocols are already in place. It also provides an asset base that can be used by other alternative fuels, when and if they become commercially viable.

“The aim of the study was to provide an update to the research conducted in 2018 / 2019. Using the latest available engine and supply chain data, including planned developments for the reduction of methane emissions along the entire supply chain, Sphera has analysed the implications for well-to-wake GHG emissions,” added Dr Oliver Schuller, Director Sustainability Consulting, Sphera.

“Being conducted to international ISO standards and peer-reviewed by four genuine experts, we are confident that this represents the definitive view of lifecycle analysis for LNG as a marine fuel available today.”

The full 2nd Lifecycle GHG Emission Study on the use of LNG as a Marine Fuel study can be accessed here.

Related: Sea-LNG: Bio-LNG drop-in bunker fuels extend GHG compliance for green finance loans
Related: SEA-LNG 2021 Outlook: LNG transitions from niche to mainstream marine fuel
Related: SEA-LNG Report: LNG – The only viable fuel


Photo credit and source: SEA-LNG
Published: 16 April, 2021

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 800th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FUELNG Venosa” delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier “MV Ubuntu Humanity” at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July.

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July 20, 2026

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Singapore: FueLNG completes 800th LNG bunkering operation

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Friday (17 July) announced the successful completion of its 800th LNG bunkering operation in the republic.

The company said bunker tanker FUELNG Venosa delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier MV Ubuntu Humanity at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July. 

“This achievement is more than just a number,” FueLNG said.

“It reflects the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our operations team, the professionalism of our marine partners, and our unwavering commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable bunker deliveries.” 

Manifold Times previously reported FueLNG completing its 500th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

Related: Singapore: FueLNG achieves milestone of 500th STS LNG bunkering operation

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

SEA-LNG: LNG, biomethane bunkering continue to grow despite geopolitical uncertainty

The industry coalition says LNG-fuelled vessels, LNG bunker vessels, and LNG bunkering volumes, as well as biomethane bunkering and production, all continue to grow in 2026.
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July 17, 2026

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SEA-LNG: LNG, biomethane bunkering continue to grow despite geopolitical uncertainty

Industry coalition SEA-LNG on Thursday (16 July) published its 2026 Mid-Year Market Review. 

It provides a snapshot of the current market conditions facing the methane pathway, with particular focus on the growth of liquefied biomethane (LBM/bio-LNG). This report comes as SEA-LNG celebrates its tenth anniversary and gains provisional consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

According to analysis of vessel orders from January to June 2026 from SEA-LNG member DNV, LNG dual-fuel orders remain robust at 73 vessels, accounting for almost 90% of the alternatively fuelled order book, when compared with ammonia, hydrogen and methanol. Additionally, there are now 67 LNG bunker vessels in operation, plus 42 more on order.

The LNG order book continues to be dominated by vessels serving liner trades especially container vessels and pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This is consistent with recent analysis by the World Shipping Council which shows that LNG remains the preferred fuel for container ship owners, accounting for 58% of total tonnage ordered versus conventional fuels at 36%.

There was also an increase in bunkering volumes and infrastructure. According to analysis by Kpler, global LNG bunker volumes were around 770,000 cubic meters (m3) per month in the period January to May 2026. This represents an increase of about 13% on the same period in 2025 as more LNG fuelled vessels have entered into operation together with favourable LNG and conventional fuel prices.

Liquefied biomethane is bunkered routinely today, and liquefied e-methane is in development. Since the introduction of regulations like FuelEU Maritime, LBM supply and demand have grown significantly. Data from the European Biogas Association show biomethane production capacity reached 8.2 bcm a year by the end of Q2 2026. This represents an additional 1 bcm in a single year, or growth of 17%. The number of operational biogas plants rose from 1,678 to 1,975 plants with €36 billion of allocated capital investment driving the sector.

Steve Esau, SEA-LNG COO, said: “Despite geopolitical and regulatory uncertainties in 2026, the industry is maintaining momentum on the methane decarbonisation pathway. This year’s mid-year review confirms that methane is the practical and realistic solution for shipping decarbonisation. 

“This is reflected in the growing numbers of LNG-fuelled vessels, LNG bunker vessels, and LNG bunkering volumes, as well as biomethane bunkering and production growth. As we look ahead, with e-methane also materialising, we are confident in the trajectory of the methane pathway to decarbonisation.”

SEA-LNG is active at the IMO and EU to underline the importance of goal-based and technology-neutral decarbonisation regulations, and ensure a global market for low and net zero fuels. As the methane pathway continues to mature, efforts have shifted from raising awareness to sharing members’ collective expertise on important technical details that will, for example, further reduce global well-to-wake emissions and scale up bio- and e-methane development and deployment.

As part of these efforts, last week SEA-LNG was granted provisional consultative status at the IMO. This status will enable SEA-LNG to engage directly with Members States as it advocates for practical and realistic regulations to help move the maritime industry forward.

Peter Keller, SEA-LNG Chairman, said: “I have been with SEA-LNG since we founded it 10 years ago, and what strikes me is how methane has ramped up from a pathway to a clear runway for shipping decarbonisation. When building the first LNG-powered containership, I didn’t imagine that within ten years over 10% of the global fleet by deadweight could be powered by methane. 

“What started as a solution to reduce harmful local emissions has cemented itself as the practical and realistic option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions today and into the future. As I look ahead, the fundamentals are strong, the orderbook is growing, the bunkering infrastructure is expanding at a record pace, and biomethane and e-methane are building on LNG’s foundation. Just as we expected.”

Note: SEA-LNG’s Methane Pathway – 2026 mid-year market review can be viewed here.

 

Photo credit: SEA-LNG
Published: 17 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

Baleària ferry completes first LNG bunkering operation in Las Palmas

Company made the first supply of LNG to the “Mercedes Pinto” in its usual berth, located on ramp 4 of the Nelson Mandela dock, in the Port of Las Palmas.

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July 16, 2026

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Baleària ferry completes first LNG bunkering operation in Las Palmas

Spanish shipping company Baleària on Tuesday (14 July) said the first LNG bunkering operation of its ferry has completed in the Port of Las Palmas.

On Monday, the company made the first supply of LNG to the Mercedes Pinto in its usual berth, located on ramp 4 of the Nelson Mandela dock, in the Port of Las Palmas, removing the need to change to another berth for the operation. 

“The operation carried out normally, after the review of all safety protocols by the Fire Department and the Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas,” it said in a social media post. 

 

Photo credit: Baleària
Published: 16 July, 2026

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