ABS study: Newbuilds reduce CO2 emissions by a third compared to conversion

A newbuild, dual-fuel gas carrier vessel generates lower CO₂ emissions over the course of its operational life than an existing gas carrier converted to dual-fuel operations, a new study finds.

The study, published by classification society ABS, used data based on vessels in the Avance Gas Holding Ltd. (AGH) fleet.

ABS compared potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between a newbuild, dual-fuel very large gas carrier (VLGC) and conversion of two AGH VLGCs over 20- and 25-year life cycles, including decommissioning.

The findings suggest conversion increases emission intensity by between 13.7 and 32.6 percent over new construction.

“Decarbonization pathways are highly complex and challenging to evaluate how to produce the best strategy for reducing the GHG footprint over the lifetime of assets. These decisions matter both to the operational performance of shipping companies and to the environment, as well as to further investments as we embrace carbon economics,” Georgios Plevrakis, ABS Director, Global Sustainability, said.

“So, we are proud to be able to assist forward-looking operators, such as AGH, with making sense of the challenges they face with … studies that shine a light on the best investment strategy,” he added.

The study compared 20- and 25-year lifecycle emissions from the conversion of AGH’s VLGC Monsoon from the diesel-fired SME engine and the diesel-fired SMC engine VLGC Promise to dual-fuel operations with new construction of a dual-fuel vessel with similar specifications to AGH’s LPG gas carrier.

The LPG carrier was evaluated in both virgin steel and 70 percent recycled steel formulations, according to ABS.