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Blue Gas Marine makes natural gas boating a reality

LNG Industry,


Blue Gas Marine, Inc. is making natural gas boating a reality by introducing technology to allow boats to run on clean, natural gas.

The company is dedicated to make natural gas available for boats, as a clean and affordable fuel. Headquartered in Apex, North Carolina, Blue Gas Marine manufactures natural gas hybrid fuel-systems for existing gasoline and diesel engines and also makes the fuel available where boaters need it.

CNG or LNG compatible

This system is designed to be installed on existing outboard, inboard and generator engines and uses CNG or LNG as fuel. The company markets its hybrid fuel-systems and natural gas fuel to frequent boat operators such as commercial fishermen, charter boats, ferries, tugs, large ships, the military and recreational users.

Blue Gas Marine solved the unique challenges of marine engine operation with patent pending proprietary technology to make computer-controlled gaseous fuel systems for marine engines. The company has partnered with leading companies that specialise in natural gas fuel storage, to offer a complete fuel-system that enables any gasoline or diesel engine to work as a hybrid using either LNG or CNG.

Hybrid fuel-system

Essentially, a boat with a Blue Gas Marine hybrid fuel-system can operate only on natural gas or as a hybrid that carries natural gas and a traditional fuel such as gasoline and can switch between the two on-demand. Additionally, Blue Gas Marine will develop a network and distribute the natural gas to boaters to ensure the fuel is readily available to those making the change.

CEO Miguel Guerreiro commented: “We have a passion for boating. That passion drives our mission to ‘Boat more often’, we do this by providing innovative marine fuel-system solutions for marine propulsion and on-board power generation that are cleaner and significantly more affordable to operate than any other in the market. As an avid fisherman, I know the cost of fuel is the largest operating expense, so focusing on creating technology that makes boats run on natural gas and distributing this fuel to boaters allows people to do more of what they love. Our solutions enable boats to maintain traditional engine performance and reduce emissions, while customers pay less to become green. It’s a win-win for boaters and the environment.”

Cut fuel expenses

Operating on natural gas cuts the fuel expenses by more than 50%, while also extending the life of engines. In most US states, boaters will be able to take advantage of the natural gas available to fuel up at US$ 1.50 per gasoline gallon equivalent, and the company is also set to make the fuel available at marinas.

The flexibility offered by operating a Blue Gas Marine hybrid fuel system, that switches between fuels instantly and on-demand, reduces the risk of making the change, as the boats remain operational, even when taken to areas where natural gas supply is initially not available. The fuel savings cover the cost of the fuel system in under one year, for most frequent boaters.

Positive impact

This innovation will also positively impact boaters and the marine industry in general by meeting and exceeding the regulatory requirements of upcoming emissions law, for certain displacement-size engines ahead of the stringent regulations coming into effect in 2015 and 2016, which require cleaner operations.

Blue Gas Marine will soon be taking orders for the new hybrid and dedicated systems and expanding throughout 2014. The company will be featuring the new technology at upcoming boat shows in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach.


Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/small-scale-lng/10092014/blue-gas-marine-introduces-lng-hybrid-boat-technology-1379/

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