110 / 140
While worldwide there is plenty of natural gas, and there
may be gas on tap where it is wanted, it is not available
everywhere in liquid form or in the amounts that will be
needed, so bunkering is a key issue. The main goal is to
ensure that LNG is supplied where needed, and that there
is an appropriate delivery chain.
Tom Strang, Carnival
Corporation Senior Vice President
and LNG Project
Manager was interviewed on this subject and commented:
“
We will need LNG available in specific locations and specific
quantities, and this is particularly true today in South Florida,
where natural gas is available, but not in liquid form or in
the quantities that we will need. In addition, there are still a
number of regulatory hurdles to overcome, as there are no
internationally agreed rules for bunkering. Only by working
together with all the stakeholders will we be able to overcome
these
.” Another relevant factor is that LNG, when it is
liquefied, has a density that is about half that of conventional
fuels, and therefore requires a larger tank volume than
conventional fuel, so the new vessels will be designed to be
able to operate for 14 days on the typical two-week bunkering
operation.
Carnival Corporation is working with all its stakeholders
(in particular suppliers, ports, flag States and classification
societies) to guarantee their engagement and that these
challenges are overcome and that opportunities are realized.
Carnival is also striving to ensure that the industry as a
whole recognizes the benefits of transitioning to LNG; the
Corporation firmly believes that LNG is set to become the fuel
of choice of the future.
As Strang himself said, “
Definitely in the long term. For new-
build cruise ships, LNG probably will become the dominant
fuel in the longer term. In the shorter term, initially and
particularly for those vessels that are designed to operate
predominantly on regular routes. The total share of LNG-driven
cruise vessels will increase slowly, as it is mainly viable only
for new builds and not easily applicable for existing vessels
because the modification to LNG operation has additional
technical challenges and may not be economically feasible
.”
However, in the future, many cruise ship companies will start
to look at LNG very seriously. As the threat of climate change
increases, so too will the industry’s attempts to keep a lid on
emissions. Strang concluded the interview by stressing that
an issue of this magnitude demands change and foresight,
something that the Company has always stood out on account
of. “
Though some may consider Carnival’s commitment to
LNG a gamble, the reality is that the transition makes sound
environmental and financial sense
.”
The future of LNG