Why liquefied nitrogen gas will rise to the top of fuel alternatives for marine engines

Posted by Jack Barry on Fri, Jan 24, 2014

As the world searches beyond traditional fossil fuels for alternatives that are both environmentally friendly and cost effective, liquefied nitrogen gas (LNG) is rising to the top of the list of choices.

While LNG was first experimented with in the early 1900s as a potential automotive fuel, it’s now making a return as a potential fuel source to power marine engines.

Here are a few reasons why:

LNG is More Compliant than Other Fuels

As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other sanctioning bodies continue to move toward greener fuel choices, any alternative fuel will first be scrutinized for its potential impact on the environment.

LNG passes the test. It’s uniquely poised to be viewed as one of the greener fuel alternatives, thanks to the fact that it reduces sulfur oxide emissions by an estimated 90 to 95 percent. The fuel source also boasts lower carbon content than other fuels.

LNG is More Cost Effective in Marine Engines

Traditional marine fuel oil is partly entrenched atop the list of fuel choices due to its relative cost effectiveness. But rising traditional fuel costs combined with a greater global desire for fuels with a lower environmental impact have opened the door new solutions. Enter LNG, which – with the right equipment and technological advances – is widely predicted to yield significant cost savings for all those impacted by direct and indirect fuel costs, including fleet owners, as well as end users. In fact, natural gas could produce as much as 100-percent savings over marine fuel oil.

A shift from current marine fuel oil to LNG or other alternatives won’t be easy. New technology and equipment will need to be forged to accommodate a new fuel, and those capital investments aren’t paltry. But in the case of LNG, there is a successful beta test in the works that generates optimism; namely, there are 30-plus ships utilizing LNG marine engines in operation right now in Europe and other continents.

So as 2014 moves forward, keep your eye on LNG as a real and viable fuel option for maritime operations and not simply one that is mentioned as a potential alternative.

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