Steps are being taken to address methane slip and fugitive emissions from LNG dual-fuel vessels, explains Lloyd’s Register global gas segment director Panos Mitrou
In recent years, the maritime industry has faced increasing scrutiny over its environmental impact, particularly concerning greenhouse gas emissions. Among these emissions, methane, a potent greenhouse gas, has drawn significant attention due to its contribution to global warming. Addressing this challenge requires innovative approaches and collaborative efforts across the industry.
In a recent conference presentation by Lloyd’s Register global gas segment director Panos Mitrou, and subsequent Q&A session, key insights were shared regarding methane slip and fugitive emissions in LNG shipping, along with ongoing initiatives to mitigate these issues.
Mr Mitrou began his presentation by emphasising the importance of addressing methane emissions, particularly methane slip, in the LNG shipping sector. He stated, "We have an issue which is methane and emissions," underlining the critical nature of the problem.
To tackle this issue, Mr Mitrou relayed the efforts of Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII), a collaborative effort involving industry leaders such as CoolCo, Mitsui OSK Lines, and Shell. He explained, "MAMII aims to evaluate technologies for monitoring and reducing methane emissions from LNG-fuelled vessels, with a focus on measuring unburned methane, or methane slip, in exhaust stacks."
Over the past year, MAMII has made significant progress in identifying and evaluating technologies for methane measurement and abatement. Mr Mitrou highlighted, "In its first year, MAMII has focused on identifying and evaluating new technologies to monitor and reduce methane emissions from LNG-fuelled vessels."
Through feasibility studies and pilot projects, MAMII has engaged with leading shipping companies and technology providers to assess the effectiveness of various solutions. Notably, Everimpact and Green Instruments were selected for pilot studies to measure methane emissions on board ships, marking a milestone in the initiative’s efforts.
In addition to technological advancements, Mr Mitrou stressed the importance of regulatory frameworks and industry standards to address methane emissions effectively. He said, "We wanted to actively address the environmental concerns on LNG and mitigate the commercial risk and the shipowner and ship operator risk around methane emissions," highlighting the multifaceted approach required to tackle the issue.
During the Q&A session that followed his presentation, Mr Mitrou addressed questions regarding the primary causes of methane slip, the role of satellite-based monitoring systems, and the potential impact of reducing black carbon emissions on methane emission goals. He stated, "There is no need to sniff around to try to dictate what the exact measurement is," emphasising the need for accurate measurement methodologies depends on information from the engine and fuel system.
Mr Mitrou discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with mitigating methane emissions, including the cost-effectiveness of abatement technologies and the role of industry collaboration in driving innovation. He provided insights into ongoing initiatives, such as the drone plume campaign to measure methane emissions from LNG fuel ships, highlighting the industry’s commitment to addressing this critical issue.
Mr Mitrou’s presentation shed light on the complexities of methane slip and fugitive emissions in LNG shipping and highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts and technological innovation in addressing these challenges. As the LNG as a marine fuel industry continues to strive for sustainability, initiatives like MAMII play a crucial role in driving progress towards tackling methane emissions and mitigating their environmental impact.
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