News / LNG ships likely worse for the environment than HFO, says latest research

Despite an explosion of orders, a mounting body of research has revealed that switching to LNG-powered ships might be worse than doing nothing to cut emissions.

And the news has ignited a fierce debate, likely to dominate the IMO’s June MEPC78.

Some 57% of newbuild orders in Q1 were for LNG-powered ships, but the fuel appears to be falling into disfavour.

Countries are now proposing that GWP20 – the indicator of greenhouse emissions’ global warming potential over a span of 20 years – ...