13SEP2019 - NEWS - Regulating methane slip: Overkill or a reasonable restriction on greenhouse gas?

Liquified natural gas (LNG) has emerged as an alternative fuel that can help the shipping industry meet sulphur, NOx and greenhouse gas (GHG) mandates. In 2014, the number of LNG-fueled vessels in operation stood at 56, according to the DNV GL Alternative Fuels Insight database. That number has now more than tripled to 170. Some 35 ships are on order and 112 have been categorised as ‘LNG-ready’ by the database; ‘LNG-ready’ means the vessel is capable of future retrofitting or LNG operation today, indicating keen interest among shipowners in the fuel. Along with this growth, the phenomenon of methane slip – unburned methane escaping through the exhaust of ships fueled by LNG – is becoming a key concern.

IMO has actively taken up the issue of methane slip. The terms of reference for related working groups meeting in November this year and early 2020 include “concrete proposals to reduce methane slip and emissions of volatile organic compounds”. Dual fuel and gas engine development may well have to factor in the reduction of methane slip among performance goals.