WLPGA Wins GREEN4SEA Initiative Award

The World LPG Association (WLPGA; Paris) has won the prestigious GREEN4SEA Initiative Award in recognition of significant contributions to greener shipping. The association was recognized for adding value to the maritime industry by addressing the benefits of using LPG as a marine fuel. The annual award, given during the awards ceremony during the GREEN4SEA annual conference in Athens, Greece, acknowledges serious contributions to greener shipping.

The award recognizes WLPGA’s activities in promoting LPG as a marine fuel and for its report, “LPG Bunkering, Guide for LPG Marine Fuel Supply,” which offers guidance for LPG marine fuel supply, concluding that sufficient potential infrastructure for distribution of LPG is available to serve potential marine market demand.

The report discusses LPG as a key enabler for IMO 2050, and as fuel it addresses IMO sulfur regulation. It aims to improve understanding within the maritime industry of issues related to bunkering ships with LPG. The paper highlights that LPG is becoming the preferred fueling solution for LPG carriers. Twenty-six VLGCs are currently being newly built or retrofitted to use LPG as a fuel, with the first operational in 2020. Other key areas addressed are design issues, current thinking on possible solutions to regulations requirements, safeguards and safe practices, as well as important areas of operational processes and training.

Since the marine industry is under pressure to take measures to reduce emissions to comply with IMO 2020 and align with 2050 emissions strategy, LPG can make significant inroads into the marine fuel market. LPG propulsion, beginning with the LPG carrier sector, needs to move beyond a niche fuel option to gain the acceptance it deserves in the wider shipping sector. Infrastructure for most distribution and bunkering is available to serve potential marine market demand, unlike other alternative fuels, and engine technology has been developed for a wide range of power outputs, requiring lower capital expenditures than other alternatives.

Economic incentives and the performance examples of the first vessels in operation will attract more ship owners and operators to invest in LPG vessels in the near future, and LPG engine technology is readily available. During a trip, using dual fuel engines allows operators to use LPG or a compliant fuel, whichever is more economical.
To download a copy of the report, visit the WLPGA publications house www.wlpga.org/publications. Full url www.wlpga.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/LPG-Bunkering-2019.pdf

SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, March 12, 2020. Subscribe to receive all the latest posted and spot prices from all major terminals and refineries around the U.S., featuring a center spread of posted prices that includes hundreds of postings completely updated each week, market analysis, insightful commentary and more.