Liquefied Natural Gas-The Future Fuel for Shipping or Cul-de-sac

The paper analyses the reasons for the interest in natural gas as a potential marine fuel to replace the existing fuels derived from crude oil. The increase in environmental awareness and the effects of human activity caused the process of searching for more environmentally friendly fuels. Naturally, interest has been shifted to a well-known energy source commonly found on Earth in quantities much more considerable than crude oil. This fuel, in the form of liquefied natural gas, seems to be an attractive substitute for the currently dominant types of marine fuels. The technologies of its extraction, liquefaction, storage and transport were mastered, and marine engines were adopted for its combustion as dual-fuel engines. The regulations introduced by the International Maritime Organization and the European Parliament, forcing the reduction of emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere from the combustion of marine fuels, require taking action to meet them. The proposals for individual next 30 years are given. Due to the introduction of regulations to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, it is necessary to switch to fuels with a lower or zero carbon content or biofuels recognised as more environmentally friendly. Due to only 25% lower carbon content in methane with its higher lower heating value, it is possible to reduce the direct emission from this gas by about 30%. However, methane leaks occur in the processes from natural gas extraction to the energy effect in engines as a fuel, significantly worsening its image as an ecological fuel. Researches indicate that with current technologies, natural gas should not be recognised as an ecological fuel until gas leaks are significantly reduced. The article justifies why LNG should be considered a transient marine fuel, with the need to switch to other synthetic fuels, ammonia, and hydrogen.