SGMF in APAC move

The London-based industry coalition Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) said it has formed its first regional committee as uptake of LNG ship fuel surges in the Asia-Pacific.

The new body held its first meeting on June 22, according to a statement by SGMF.

“Its first tasks will be to prepare a publication on the pathway to green ammonia and a regional dashboard tracking trade patterns to measure the multi-faceted impact of conversion to gas as marine fuel,” the coalition said.

Moreover, this dashboard would build on an existing East Coast Australia dashboard developed by classification society DNV, released late 2020, it said.

Walter Purio of P&H Marine has been named as the first chairperson of the committee, with vice chairs from three sub-regions. They include Tony Brooks of BE&R Consulting, Chetan Sood of Eastern Pacific Shipping as well as Jose Navarro of Lloyd’s Register.

“The APAC Committee represents a vital step for SGMF into regional representation and we look forward to robust strategic discussion to supplement the ongoing output from our technical and environmental Committees,” Mark Bell, general manager of SGMF, said.

LNG fueling on the rise in APAC

The committee draws on a diverse range of perspectives across SGMF’s APAC membership, which comprises around 35 companies from segments including shipowners, ports but also shipyards.

Also, other committee members come from companies including BHP, Rio Tinto, China Classification Society, Korean Register, MPA, Petronas, Woodside Energy, ENN and Pilbara Port Authority.

The newest members, BHP and Rio Tinto, bring expertise and scale in dry bulk. The companies are driving the uptake of LNG fuel in their sector, each recently signing long-term charters for multiple gas-fueled ‘Newcastlemax’ vessels, SGMF said.

“These APAC trades will help build the infrastructure and experience required for future growth in gas-fuelled shipping, as well as highlighting the critical role that APAC plays in the global development of gas as a marine fuel,” the coalition said.

Most Popular

TotalEnergies CEO expects US financing for Mozambique LNG to be approved in weeks

In May 2020, EXIM voted to amend the agency's previously approved September 2019 direct loan supporting US exports for...

Greek and German firms place orders for LNG-powered vessels in China and Korea

Reports by Intermodal and other brokers suggest that Greece's Sun Enterprises and TMS Group and Germany's Peter Dohle ordered...

Gastrade: Alexandroupolis FSRU remains offline due to technical issue

"For the moment, regasification services have been suspended due to a technical issue, for which we will provide further...

More News Like This

SGMF releases new guidelines for LNG-powered vessels

The London-based industry coalition Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) has published two new guidelines to improve...

Study claims LNG slashes GHG emissions by up to 23 percent

A study commissioned by industry coalitions SEA-LNG and SGMF says that using LNG as a marine fuel can reduce...

Elenger joins SGMF as it prepares to take delivery of LNG bunkering ship

Estonia-based Elenger joined the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) as it prepares to welcome its first...