MARAD to fund two LNG projects
The US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) is providing a total of US$ 1.4 million for two projects supporting the increased use of alternative fuels and technology in the maritime industry. The funds will be used to collect information of the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as marine propulsion and study the issues and challenges associated with shore side storage and fuelling of LNG vessels.
“Fuel-efficient ships appeal to the maritime industry for the exact same reasons that fuel-efficient cars appeal to consumers – they’re easy on the environment and their pocketbooks,” said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The Obama Administration is committed to protecting our environment and reducing pollution, and the information we’ll gather from these projects will help us strengthen America’s clean energy economy.”
MARAD will provide Horizon Lines, Inc. with US$ 900 000 to help with the conversion and monitoring of their vessel, Horizon Spirit, to operate on LNG. Measuring the efficiency and air emissions of these new LNG engines will provide valuable data as the maritime industry attempts to convert to greener and more cost effective options. The ship will operate between Long Beach, California, and Honolulu, Hawaii. The conversion is expected to be complete by the end of 2015.
The second project is a US$ 500 000 MARAD funded LNG study conducted by the US subsidiary of Det Norske Veritas Inc. to analyse the issues and challenges associated with LNG bunkering. This study should be complete by the spring of next year.
“The maritime industry is taking important steps to reduce vessel air emissions,” said Acting Maritime Administrator Paul N. Jaenichen. “Using clean energy means green efficient transportation and a better environment for mariners who work aboard these vessels and others who work in the maritime industry and communities.”
The two recipients were chosen in a competitive process to partner with MARAD as part of a new program to demonstrate innovative technologies and practices and share data on the results. Both projects reflect the maritime industry’s effort to reduce vessel air emissions and the use of LNG as an alternative fuel.
Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward
Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/11112013/maritime_funding_for_lng_projects_419/
You might also like
EIA: US natural gas trade will continue to grow with the start-up of new LNG export projects
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s recently released Short-Term Energy Outlook forecasts that US LNG exports will continue to lead growth in US natural gas trade as three LNG export projects currently under construction start operations and ramp up to full production by the end of 2025.
