A Norwegian Consortium which includes Havila Voyages has announced plans to develop a new solution for decarbonising maritime transport by capturing and storing CO2 from liquified natural gas-powered (LNG) ships

The project, coined LNGameChanger, is led by maritime technology supplier HAV Group, plus coastal cruise operator Havila Voyages, natural gas company Molgas Norway and research institution SINTEF.

LNG has been touted by the cruise industry as a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to existing fuel sources for cruise ships, with Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line among the growing number of operators to have adopted it.

However, environmental groups have pushed back, arguing that while LNG reduces CO2 emissions, some methane – a potent greenhouse gas – can escape during combustion or leaks, potentially offsetting some of the benefits.

The LNGameChanger project says its primary objective is to “design a decarbonised maritime LNG-fuelled power train combining solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and high-efficiency onboard CO2 liquefaction and storage, resulting in a CO2-equivalent intensity between the 2045 and 2050 emission limits.”

The ultimate goal, however, is to make LNG a permanent sustainable solution for low-emission maritime transport.

Gunnar Larsen, CEO of HAV Group, said: “The LNGameChanger project aims to create the basis of a new product in form of a low-or zero-emission solution for the maritime industry, strongly positioned for a growing LNG market and infrastructure with superior efficiency to alternative solutions.

“If this objective is achieved, LNG can become not only a transitional fuel, but a permanently viable option in low-emission maritime transport.”

Havila Voyages’ four coastal cruise ships all use LNG as fuel in combination with battery power. If LNGameChanger project succeeds, there’s potential for the technology to be rolled out across the wider cruise industry.

Bent Martini, CEO of Havila Voyages, added: “We have clear ambitions to move towards carbon neutrality and eventually zero emissions, and that can be done with our current fleet. This project is of great interest for us as our main power source today is LNG. We are eagerly awaiting the results and possibilities that lay ahead.”