Buckle up, maritime enthusiasts, because the Norwegian consortium has just thrown a curveball into the decarbonisation debate with their latest project, LNGameChanger. This isn’t just another green initiative; it’s a bold attempt to make LNG the go-to fuel for a low-emission future. Led by the HAV Group, along with Havila Voyages, Molgas Norway, and SINTEF, this project is setting sail to redefine maritime decarbonisation.
Imagine this: a ship powered by LNG, but with a twist. The LNGameChanger project aims to capture and store carbon dioxide from LNG-fuelled solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power trains. It’s like having your cake and eating it too – using a well-established fuel while significantly reducing emissions. The project was unveiled on board the Havila Capella, a coastal cruise ship, sending a clear message that this technology could be a game-changer for the maritime industry.
Gunnar Larsen, CEO of HAV Group, didn’t mince words when he said, “If this objective is achieved, LNG can become not only a transitional fuel, but a permanently viable option in low-emission maritime transport, alongside for example hydrogen.” That’s a bold claim, but it’s backed by a solid plan. The project’s primary goal is to design a power train that combines SOFC and high-efficiency onboard CO2 liquefaction and storage, aiming for a CO2-equivalent intensity between the 2045 – 2050 emission limits.
But here’s where it gets interesting. The project isn’t just about the ship; it’s about the entire ecosystem. LNGameChanger will also address the infrastructure needs for decentralised CO2 collection and transport in port. Anders Torp Rød, Managing Director at Molgas Norway, highlighted the potential for combining this logistically with LNG distribution. It’s a holistic approach that could pave the way for large-scale, low-emission solutions.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – the market potential. International shipping carries around 80% of traded goods and accounts for around 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. LNG might only account for about 4% of the fuel supply now, but the number of LNG-powered ships is set to skyrocket. According to DNV, the number of LNG-fuelled ships in operation doubled between 2021 and 2024, and this trend is expected to continue.
But it’s not just about the numbers. The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is gradually extending to include emissions in the maritime transport sector, and the FuelEU Maritime regulation is already in force. These regulations are giving extra incentives for technologies that reduce or eliminate maritime CO2 emissions. And that’s where LNGameChanger comes in.
The Norwegian Research Council has awarded the project a grant of approximately NOK 5 million over two years, providing the groundwork for research activities by SINTEF. The project partners will be actively involved, with HAV Group leading the charge on technical expertise and project management.
David Berstad, a researcher at SINTEF, summed it up perfectly: “A low-to-zero-emission concept that combines an established maritime fuel with innovative CO2 capture technology is a promising solution that can be applied to many different vessel types.” It’s a bold statement, but it’s backed by a solid plan and a consortium of industry heavyweights.
So, what does this mean for the future of maritime transport? It’s a wake-up call. It’s a challenge to the status quo. It’s a reminder that we can’t lock ourselves into one direction. We need to explore all possibilities, find the best solutions for the environment and the business. And who knows? LNG might just become the fuel of the future after all. So, let’s keep an eye on LNGameChanger. It’s not just a project; it’s a potential game-changer.
