BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov.17
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The EU should increase focus on promoting LNG, bioLNG and eLNG to reduce emissions from maritime transport, Trend reports with reference to Eurogas, an association representing the European gas wholesale, retail and distribution sectors in relation to relevant EU institutions.
Eurogas believes the following elements are crucial to boosting the use of these fuels: All EU policies should ensure a level playing field and assess solutions objectively along the complete value chain, including refuelling and distribution infrastructure; the EU framework needs to recognize the Well-to-Wake emissions, to fully account for the contribution of fuels, as well as local emissions, performances of fuels, and the time needed for their deployment; an economically efficient and well-planned approach that maximizes the value of existing assets to incorporate increasing shares of renewable and low carbon gases.
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (AFID) for LNG, bioLNG, eLNG and hydrogen uptake should be fully implemented, according to Eurogas.
‘In the upcoming AFID revision, natural gas – liquified and gaseous – must remain an alternative fuel source. Taxation which fully recognizes fuels’ contribution to decarbonisation and environmental performance in the transport sector. The NOx , SOx and Particulate Matter (PM) Emission Control Areas (ECAs) must be extended to the whole European coastline. Small-Scale LNG infrastructure projects should be classified as sustainable within the European Commission’s Sustainable Finance Programme,” the association believes.
Compared to conventional maritime fuel oils, LNG significantly reduces emissions from local pollutants: SOx emissions are reduced to near zero due to the very low sulphur content of LNG.
“NOx and PM can be reduced by more than 90 percent. Compared to very low sulphur fuel oils, LNG significantly reduces GHG emissions, while accounting for methane slips.”
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