A cross industry initiative formed to reduce maritime methane emissions revealed seven new members at Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) LNG Forum event held in Doha, Qatar.
Led by Safetytech Accelerator, the Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative’s (MAMII) current members include Carnival Corp, Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), Shell and LR, plus major LNGC owners and operators.
MAMII was formed in September, 2022 to identify, accelerate and advocate technology solutions for the maritime industry to measure and manage methane emissions activity. It aims to minimise the environmental impact of LNG in shipping, whilst aiding the transition to future fuel solutions.
The seven new members bring a wealth of expertise from across the LNG value chain to the initiative, in a signal that they hope shows the industry’s action to tackle methane emissions in maritime is strengthening, the organisation claimed.
Analysis has indicated that the environmental benefits of using LNG could be partially negated, due to any unburned methane passing through the combustion process.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, estimated to have a global warming potential (GWP) of 27-30 over 100 years, while CO2 has a GWP of 1 regardless of the time period used.
In its first six months, MAMII has mapped the LNG fuel landscape from the well to the ship, signalled the key measurements required, and has identified a range of potential new technology for measurement on board ships.
MAMII’s progress comes at a time when methane abatement initiatives are gaining traction globally, such as the Green Ray project, which recently won funding from the European Union.
This initiative is chaired by Panos Mitrou, LR’s Global Gas Director (pictured), and directed by Safetytech Accelerator’s Head of Partnerships, Steve Price.
Price said: “We are looking forward to the next few months when we move from analysis and research into piloting new methane measurement technology on ships. Measuring actual emissions is a critical step in the de-carbonisation of the shipping journey.”
Mitrou added: “The doubling of MAMII’s membership in the six months since its launch is a sign of the maritime industry’s commitment to addressing methane emissions.
“It also indicates the important role of technology in measuring and managing methane emissions activity. As the chairman of the MAMII initiative, I am delighted that so many significant shipping leaders have joined the ranks.”
