Ahead of the upcoming Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting next week, SEA-LNG has highlighted what it claims are emission reductions from LNG as a marine fuel, as well as growth in biomethane bunkering.
The coalition, which supports the methane decarbonisation pathway, said energy producers have reduced well-to-wake emissions by 25% over the past six years, whilst noting that engine manufacturers have taken steps to reduce methane slip emissions by nearly half.
It also observed that the LNG-powered fleet has experienced exponential growth during this period, with biomethane increasingly adopted as a marine fuel, and stressed that SEA-LNG members had played a significant role in driving this expansion.
SEA-LNG noted that, at London International Shipping Week in September, classification societies ABS and DNV discussed LNG and the pathway it enables through liquefied biomethane and e-methane. The association also referred to what it describes as “the risk of unintended consequences from regulations for which the supporting guidelines have not yet been fully developed.”
Peter Keller, chairman of SEA-LNG, said: “The evidence is clear: LNG is delivering emissions reductions now and providing a practical pathway to net-zero through biomethane and e-methane. It is essential that future regulation builds on this momentum and recognises the proven benefits of the methane decarbonisation pathway.”
Steve Esau, chief operating officer of SEA-LNG, added: “Independent studies by Sphera and Rystad Energy confirm a steady decline in well-to-tank emissions from LNG over the past decade. With further reductions expected as supply chains evolve, and with LBM and e-methane scaling, the pathway is both credible today and vital for the industry’s long-term transition.”
SEA-LNG referred to well-to-tank research by Rystad Energy published in September, which showed greenhouse gas emissions to be well below the FuelEU Maritime default values. The coalition plans to release an updated lifecycle study of well-to-wake greenhouse gas emissions for LNG as a marine fuel in the second quarter of 2026.
SEA-LNG is a UK-registered not-for-profit collaborative industry foundation with members across the entire LNG value chain, including product providers, users, engine and asset suppliers, and class societies.
