SEALNG Expands Presence in America with ÉNESTAS

Mexico-based LNG company ÉNESTAS has joined SEALNG, a multi-sector industry coalition aiming at accelerating the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel.

With the addition of ÉNESTAS, the SEALNG coalition bolsters its efforts to drive forward LNG as a marine fuel and to progress its role as a viable solution in the energy transition within shipping.

As the largest private LNG company in Mexico and with the largest LNG distribution network, ÉNESTAS is expected to support the coalition’s vision of a competitive global LNG value chain for cleaner maritime shipping by 2020.

Commenting on the latest addition to the coalition, Peter Keller, SEALNG chairman and executive vice president, TOTE Inc., said: “SEALNG continues to unite organisations from across the LNG value chain to address market barriers to LNG uptake, and to help transform the use of LNG as a marine fuel into a global reality. With several ports under development in North America, including in the Gulf of Mexico, we look forward to leveraging ÉNESTAS’ vast network and capabilities within the region to support the continued growth and investment in LNG bunkering infrastructure.”

Since launching in July 2016, SEALNG’s membership has grown rapidly from 13 to 34 members, demonstrating the industry’s attention to LNG as a cost-effective, safe, and environmentally friendly long-term bridging solution to a zero-emissions shipping industry.

“We expect LNG to become the dominant fuel for transportation by road, rail, and sea. LNG is currently the most safe, clean, and economically viable marine fuel on the market and will continue to substitute diesel as the fuel of choice. We’re excited to be part of SEALNG and to work with our fellow members to promote knowledge and understanding of the full benefits that LNG has to offer,” Caio Zapata M, chief executive officer, ÉNESTAS, said.

LNG emits zero sulphur oxides (SOx), virtually zero particulate matter (PM), and compared to existing heavy marine fuel oils, LNG can emit 90% less nitrogen oxides (NOx).

With regards to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the maritime sector, reductions of up to 20% are achievable now with LNG. As technology continues to develop, these reductions will increase. Furthermore, LNG, in combination with efficiency measures being developed for new ships in response to the IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), will provide a way of meeting the IMO’s decarbonization target of a 40% decrease by 2030 for international shipping.