Increasing interest in LNG fueled ship due to IMO 2020 regulation
The IMO has tightened regulations to reduce environmental pollution from ships. From 1 January 2020 the sulphur content of fuel oil used or carried for use on board a ship shall not exceed 0.50% which means shipowners need to install an EGCS, or find different options.
LNG is a popular option. LNG is pre-treated for dust removal, deoiling, decarbonization, dehydration during the process of liquefaction.It does not include sulfurous acid gas and generates less nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide compared to fuel oil, as a result it is termed clean energy. Shipowners’ interest in LNG is increasing because it meets the environment regulations.
There are many alternative energy sources being developed, with shipowners increasingly interested in ammonia, methanol as fuel. But, LNG as commercialized eco-friendly fuel will lead the industry for the next 30 years.