SGMF has published its latest life cycle assessment (LCA) on LNG, further demonstrating significant reductions in GHG emissions compared to traditional marine fuels.
One of the key findings is evidence of up to 29% tank-to-wake GHG emissions reductions when using LNG compared to MGO 0.1 – an improvement of up to 13% compared to the previous LCA conducted in 2022 – highlighting the effectiveness of measures to reduce methane slip. This progress contributes to overall well-to-wake GHG emissions reductions of up to 25%, supported in part by well-to-tank emissions reductions of up to 9% compared to the first LNG LCA study published in 2019.
Following its pioneering full LCA of LNG as marine fuel in 2019, SGMF says it is reinforcing its position as an independent LCA provider with this latest publication. SGMF’s studies are critically peer reviewed by industry experts and academics and cover multiple pathways, reflecting the distinct carbon intensities of each. The emissions calculations are based on the performance of a range of engine types, including medium-speed four-stroke and low-speed two-stroke engines, with the findings reflecting industry progress on emissions reduction with LNG, both upstream and downstream.
LCAs provide a snapshot of the state of the industry at a given point in time. Given the fast pace of development in the alternative marine fuels space, regular updates of these studies are considered essential to ensure the latest technological advances, and most relevant GHG intensity values, are reflected across all fuels. The data that underpins these studies from SGMF are provided by a range of stakeholders, from inside and outside SGMF’s membership.
Mark Bell, SGMF MD, said: “Shipowners making decisions on future fuel pathways must rely on independent, fact based full Well-to-Wake data of all the fuels, ensuring decision making that contributes to reducing the overall emission levels in the maritime industry. That is why, as an organisation, we place high value on rigorous independent studies to support our members and contribute to the safe and sustainable decarbonisation of the maritime industry.”
Emma Scheiris, Intertanko Deputy Director, Environment, added: “Independent and transparent life cycle assessments are essential for tanker owners and operators. Intertanko supports this study’s commitment to robust well-to-wake principles that can apply consistently across all fuels and reflect actual supply pathways. It offers a structured assessment to evaluate environmental impact and helps our members assess their decarbonisation strategies.”
In addition to its LNG studies, SGMF expects to publish its first LCA on methanol as a marine fuel, produced in association with Ricardo, in mid-2026, which follows its LCA on ammonia as marine fuel, published in 2024. SGMF plans to publish second editions on ammonia and methanol in the coming years.
The full report can be downloaded here, and the Executive Summary can be viewed here.
