seatec - Finnish marine technology review 2/2012 | Page 10

Zeus, commented that accelerating growth is what you would expect under these circumstances, but what surprised the experts was the rate: Photo: STX Europe T om Campbell, LNG-fuel analyst at “High oil prices, impending emissions regulations and technical advancements are propelling the market faster than we expected,” Campbell admitted. A key factor in all of this is International Maritime Organization (IMO) Tier III emissions standards – which are to take effect in 2015–2016 – requiring operators to reduce sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions. For existing ships, after-exhaust treatment is proving more popular, but for newbuilds, operators are taking advantage of the unique properties provided by LNG. Campbell believes that as LNG is better understood, architects are able to design ships specifically for LNG storage and LNG CONQUERS NEW SEAS tainer vessels while expanding geograph- propulsion. Zeus’ survey finds that LNG usage is grow- ically from Europe to North America and “Firms such as Wärtsilä now offer in- ing beyond coastal ferries in Europe and Asia. Currently projects underway in e.g. tegrated onboard fuel delivery systems and offshore service vessels for the oil and gas Finland, Belgium, Sweden, South Korea, power units for shipbuilders.” industry, to large cruise ferries and con- Singapore and Japan have made efforts 8 seatec 2/2012