Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): What is it and how does it impact the shipping industry?
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is the most recent step towards lessening environmental impacts in the fueling industry. LNG occurs when natural gas is taken from a gaseous form and turned into liquid form. The benefit of using LNG is that it is non-pressurized, and is therefore easier and safer to transport. LNG is only 1/600ths the volume of natural gas in the gaseous state, so more can be shipped at a time. It is win-win for ships as LNG is easier to transport, more fuel efficient, and better for the environment because burning LNG results in less carbon emissions that other forms of fuel. Burning LNG releases 50-60% less carbon than coal. LNG is still a fossil fuel and does have impacts on the environment, but the impacts are less than traditional forms of fuel.