The German maritime sector has urged the Federal Government to take specific steps to promote the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative fuel for ships, reports Safety4sea.
LNG As Marine Fuel
In a joint statement, the Maritime LNG Platform, the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR), the German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association (VSM), the Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS), and the German Shipbrokers’ Association (ZVDS) proposed three key instruments to advance the use of LNG as a marine fuel in Germany.
These proposals include an innovation offensive, a subsidization program for equipping ships with LNG propulsion, and the establishment of uniform legal standards in ports.
Georg Ehrmann, Managing Director of the Maritime LNG Platform, emphasized the significant potential of LNG in reducing emissions of sulfur, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides in coastal regions and port cities. He also highlighted that LNG currently meets both existing and future emission regulations.
Ehrmann noted that the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure and the Maritime Coordinator of the Federal Government have recognized the importance of LNG for cleaner transport routes, as outlined in the coalition agreement and the EU Directive “Clean Power for Transport.”
Successful Adoption
Ehrmann emphasized that the proposed measures are crucial for the successful adoption of LNG as an environmentally friendly marine fuel. He highlighted that using LNG not only benefits the environment but also creates significant economic opportunities and high-quality jobs for Germany.
Ralf Nagel, CEO of the VDR, stressed the importance of a comprehensive incentive scheme from the Federal Government for the construction and retrofitting of LNG-powered ships. He emphasized that without such support, overcoming the barriers to market entry for LNG-powered vessels will be challenging.
Ships equipped with dual-fuel engines, capable of operating on both conventional fuels and LNG, incur a cost premium of up to 25% due to the need for specialized engines, additional tanks, and fuel lines.
Daniel Hosseus, Senior Managing Director of the ZDS, highlighted the need for a broad-based and consistent technology subsidization scheme for maritime logistics. He advocated for the reinstatement of the successful ISETEC (research program for innovative seaport technologies) program by the Federal Government.
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Source: Safety4sea
