Assessing energy efficiency and regulatory complexity in steam-powered LNG carriers

The urgency surrounding climate change has spurred the development of renewable energies and a shift towards lower carbon fuels. Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) emerged as a favored choice for industries and countries for reducing atmospheric emissions, with a projected 40% increase in LNG demand over the next two decades. Shipping has become a vital transportation mode for LNG. Alongside its growing share in the global energy mix, LNG is also viewed as a cleaner alternative to conventional fuel oils, offering significant reductions in noxious gases like NOx, SOx, and CO2 emissions. Despite being less favored in the construction of new LNG carriers (LNGC), steam-powered LNGC account for 39% of the current LNGC fleet as of January 2023. This paper evaluates the operational performance of turbinepowered LNG vessels using high-frequency data. It aims to provide a clear understanding of the energy efficiency of these vessels and their compliance with environmental regulations.