The International Maritime Organization confirmed in 2016 the introduction of a global sulphur cap in 2020, establishing a 0.5% sulphur content limit in fuels. All shipping companies operating in international waters will be affected by this emission regulation. LNG as a maritime fuel is widely thematised in current discussions regarding alternatives to achieve compliance, as it brings in the most significant environmental benefits. However, the current LNG-use is scarce, as vessels operating with LNG accounts for ca. 0.1% of the global fleet, and are mainly located in the Baltic region. To gain significance as a marine fuel, LNG has several challenges to overcome. LNGs main hurdle is the lack of bunkering infrastructure, which discourage its adoption by shipping companies, generating the so-called chicken-and-egg problem. Although small-scale bunkering facilities are already available, mostly in Northern Europe, the required infrastructure for large vessels is not provided.
This study looks at the relevance of LNG as a maritime fuel with the focus on the forthcoming global sulphur cap, from the perspective of a small and a large shipping company, in their decision-making to achieve compliance. Thereby, major drivers and impediments considered by both shipping companies for its adoption as well as their forecast regarding the future of LNG in the shipping industry are discussed.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- INTRODUCTION
- RESEARCH PROBLEM
- AIM
- METHODOLOGY
- THE SULPHUR OXIDES LIMITS
- REGULATION 14 OF MARPOL ANNEX VI
- IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY
- 0.5% GLOBAL SULPHUR CAP BY 2020
- LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
- DEFINITION
- LNG AS AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCE FOR COMPLIANCE
- GLOBAL LNG TRADE
- LNG BUNKERING
- ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF LNG FOR SHIPPING COMPANIES
- CASE STUDIES
- THE SMALL SHIPPING COMPANY
- THE LARGE SHIPPING COMPANY
- MAIN FINDINGS
- CONCLUSION
- SUMMARY
- CRITICAL ACCLAIM
- OUTLOOK
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This bachelor thesis aims to explore the relevance of LNG as a maritime fuel, particularly in light of the impending global sulphur cap set to take effect in 2020. The study focuses on the decision-making process of both a small and a large shipping company regarding the adoption of LNG as a means to achieve compliance with the new regulations. It investigates the key drivers and impediments influencing their choices, as well as their perspectives on the future of LNG in the shipping industry.
- The impact of the global sulphur cap on the shipping industry
- The potential of LNG as an alternative fuel for compliance
- Challenges and opportunities associated with LNG adoption
- The role of bunkering infrastructure in LNG uptake
- The decision-making processes of shipping companies regarding LNG
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter introduces the research problem, which focuses on the relevance of LNG as a maritime fuel for achieving compliance with the global sulphur cap. It outlines the thesis's aim and methodology. Chapter 2 delves into the sulphur oxides limits imposed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), specifically focusing on Regulation 14 of MARPOL Annex VI and the implications for the shipping industry. The chapter also discusses the 0.5% global sulphur cap that will come into effect in 2020. Chapter 3 provides a comprehensive overview of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), including its definition, its role as an alternative energy source for compliance, the global LNG trade, and LNG bunkering. It also explores the advantages and disadvantages of LNG for shipping companies.
Chapter 4 presents case studies of a small and a large shipping company, examining their perspectives on LNG adoption in relation to the global sulphur cap. This chapter investigates the major drivers and impediments considered by both companies, as well as their forecasts for the future of LNG in the shipping industry.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key focus areas of this thesis include LNG, the shipping industry, maritime fuel, bunker, global sulphur cap, compliance, and the challenges associated with LNG adoption. It explores the decision-making processes of both small and large shipping companies regarding the use of LNG as a viable solution to achieve compliance with the new regulations. The study sheds light on the importance of bunkering infrastructure and its role in the broader adoption of LNG as a marine fuel.
- Citar trabajo
- Andre Dassau (Autor), 2017, The Relevance of Liquefied Natural Gas as an Alternative for the Shipping Industry to Comply with the Global SO2 Limits, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/379487
