Ammonia and methanol dominate discussions about the future of maritime fuels but David Stevenson speaks to SEA-LNG about liquid natural gas, the most common choice for lower carbon ships, to see what role it might play in decarbonisation.

“For all alternative fuels, you’re on a pathway. For LNG, it’s exactly the same pathway. You start with LNG, and you go to liquefied biomethane, then liquefied e-methane. It’s the same as the methanol pathway, it’s the same as the ammonia pathway, it’s the same as the hydrogen pathway,” says Steve Esau (pictured), chief operating officer of SEA-LNG before adding rather ominously: “there’s been a very successful campaign to discredit LNG in many circles”.

Last summer Bloomberg published The invisible climate impact of a cruise ship an article regarding LNG-powered vessels’ emissions impact “still being understood” in light of methane slippage evidence. Esau says that while methane slip is a “recognised issue”, there are nuances that should be considered.