Authors

Kang-Ki LEE¹, Tuan DONG², Monica CANEPA², Alessandro SCHÖNBORN², Shinsuke MURAKAMI^3 
1Zollner Energy Systems GmbH, Kiel, DE; ²World Maritime University, SE; ³ AVL List GmbH, AT

Summary

In light of regulatory momentum from MEPC 83 held in April 2025—including tightened GHG intensity targets, advancing carbon pricing mechanisms, and progress on safety protocols for alternative fuels—the maritime sector is entering a phase of accelerated alignment with the IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy targeting net-zero emissions around 2050. While hydrogen is widely regarded as a key long-term zero-carbon fuel, its near-term deployment remains constrained by infrastructure limitations, safety concerns, and the energy intensity of production. This paper re-evaluates the transitional role of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), drawing on updated onboard trial data and life-cycle assessments that demonstrate improved methane slip mitigation and superior thermal efficiency in 2-stroke high-pressure dual-fuel engines. Beyond conventional LNG, the study examines hydrogen-enriched LNG blends as a practical intermediary pathway, offering incremental emissions reductions while supporting the gradual build-out of hydrogen supply chains. With large-scale hydrogen adoption likely delayed well into the 2030s, the paper argues that LNG—particularly in enriched or optimized forms—should be recognized not as a technological dead-end but as a viable and necessary component of a phased maritime decarbonization strategy. Regulatory developments from MEPC 83 further reinforce this view, laying foundational market and safety frameworks that can accelerate alternative fuel deployment while bridging the gap to zero-carbon solutions.

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