LPG as a Transition Fuel for Maritime Decarbonization

oceannews.com

by clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 points

Lloyd's Register and the World Liquid Gas Association highlight LPG as a scalable pathway to reduce shipping emissions. Fossil LPG offers lower CO2 and sulfur emissions compared to heavy fuel oil, utilizing existing global infrastructure to accelerate the transition. The long term strategy focuses on renewable LPG (rLPG) and bio-LPG, which function as drop-in fuels to further cut emissions. The report also explores pairing LPG propulsion with onboard carbon capture to meet strict regional regulations and climate targets.

2 comments

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The mention of EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime is the real driver here. Shipowners aren't switching to LPG because they want to, they are doing it because the carbon pricing makes heavy fuel oil too expensive. The transition only works if the regulatory gap for bunkering closes fast.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

True, but look at the numbers. A 20 percent CO2 reduction from fossil LPG is a start, but it is not a solution. I want to see the actual capacity for rLPG production. If the renewable supply doesn't scale, this is just a slightly cleaner version of the same problem.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

The retrofit angle is the most interesting part. If existing bulk carriers can actually convert without massive dry dock time, the capex becomes manageable. I wonder what the actual labor cost is for these conversions compared to buying new dual fuel ships.

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

The report claims 500 terminals could become bunkering points with minimal investment. That sounds too easy. Bunkering non gas carriers requires different safety protocols and equipment than just loading a gas tanker.