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TOMORROW
The transition to LNG is no easy
task; however, its implementation
is facilitated not only by Carnival
Corporation’s commitment to move
to clean fuel but also by recent
improvements both in the regulatory
framework and in the availability of gas
bunkering infrastructure. Because of
the new regulations recently adopted
by IMO (International Maritime
Organization), there is a greater push
in the industry today to build ships
that can utilize cleaner burning fuel.
Similarly, to comply with the latest
EU directives, from 2020 ships will
be required to use 0.5% low sulfur
fuel in European waters; the new rules
have already led to the development
of programs for the building of
alternative fuel infrastructure ensuring
the availability of LNG throughout
Europe. To this end, Mediterranean
countries will need to bridge the gap
with North Sea ports where there are
already announced and developed
plans for LNG bunkering. Italy is
working on ways of taking advantage
of the related opportunities. The
Gainn Project (backed by
RINA
[Italian
Shipping Register] and the
Italian
Ministry of Transport
) involves the
development of nine pilot projects in
as many ports, with the objective of
pre-empting domestic legislation (due
to enter into force in November 2016)
transposing the 2014/94/EU Directive,
which lays down regulations for the use
of alternative fuels and the building of
an appropriate supply chain for LNG.
Elsewhere, the LNG-bunkering process
in the main cruise markets is proceeding
at differing speeds and unevenly. In
North America, where the process is
just getting started, the building of
LNG-bunkering platforms should be
favored by the plentiful natural gas
reserves in that part of the world,
although it is true to say that the LNG
storage is not always where the cruise
vessels operate. The Asia Pacific is quite
another story, whereas Singapore,
China and South Korea have invested
in developing LNG as a bunker fuel,
sulfur emissions regulations are only
enforced in a few major ports and
rivers like Honk Kong, Peral River Delta,
Yangtze River Delta and the Bohai Sea.
As a result, demand for LNG will likely
struggle to get off the ground until
stricter regulatory parameters – in line
with those in Europe – come into force.
Cruise ships
and impact
Increase
in number
of LNG-powered
ships
PORTION OF GLOBAL CO
2
EMISSIONS CAUSED BY
OCEAN-GOING COMMERCIAL
VESSELS
3% - 4%
CRUISE SHIPS AS A
PROPORTION OF THE
GLOBAL MARITIME FLEET
0.6%
MARCH 2015
59
SHIPS
FORECAST FOR
2020
1,000
SHIPS*
* Source DNV.