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42 Maritime Professional 4Q 2011CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES and that one size will no longer fit all ? and we now see this language becoming accepted wisdom in the industry. It seems that the idea you can build ships for world-wide trading for 25 years - or more - and be confident that the technology and approach to energy will remain competitive on a global basis through that lifetime, may be over. One design for world- wide trade may return but probably only after a period of change when new orthodoxies might emerge.? MARINE FUEL: EMISSIONS, PRICING AND SO MUCH MORELloyd?s Register identifies two inter-linked issues. Firstly, with high fuel prices, ships could become either uncompeti-tive or obsolescent well before their anticipated design life expires ? we are seeing this with containerships and, quite quickly now, with tankers. Secondly, new emissions regula- tion will see different solutions adopted by different ship types and in different geographies. FUELS OF THE FUTURE ? GAS IS ONE OF THEM What fuel the industry will use is occupying many minds and Boardley says there are no simple answers. ?Clearly therehas been a lot of debate about LNG and we see a great dealof potential for it as a marine fuel. We are involved in some big projects and talking to many operators on the subject. Most applications to date are small, coastal projects and ouropinion is that LNG is most likely to be adopted in coastal, and particularly, ferry applications where the operator has control over bunkering facilities. Use for deep sea is more complicated and will take longer.? Lloyd?s Register points out that while emissions from LNG systems are far better for local air quality, gas is just another fossil fuel - even if claims that LNG will marginally reduce CO2 are accurate (an area where more work needs to be done from gas well to flue) the growth in world trade will erode any net greenhouse reductions from its use. Boardley adds, ?Gas is one of the fuels of the future ? per- haps not the fuel. Whether it is widely adopted will depend on whether a global market and infrastructure for gas emerges ? and that?s a long way off. And then it will come down to price. Many operators will be looking for flexibility and a modern ?tri-fuel? engine able to burn HFO, diesel or LNG may be an attractive option.? COMPETING AGENDAS REQUIRE GOOD DECISIONS?There are many competing agendas out there as we enter this time of uncertainty?, says Boardley. ?At Lloyd?s Register we want to help ensure that the shipping industry is making Lloyd?s Register?s Environmental Roadmap Schematic MP #4 (34-49):MP Layouts 11/8/2011 2:06 PM Page 42
