Market Trends of Bunker Fuel Industry
LNG Likely to Witness Significant Market Growth as a Bunker Fuel
- The global LNG bunkering market has evolved over the past decade, driven by the increase in global LNG usage amid growing demand for clean energy due to its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- The conversion of the current operating vessels into LNG-based vessels is highly expensive. Hence, it is not economically viable. However, the operational cost of LNG-based vessels is expected to be the lowest among all the fuel alternatives once the new emission regulations become applicable. Further, a gradual shift to LNG for propulsion is more advantageous than the traditional methods of fueling ships with heavy fuel oil, marine gas oil, marine diesel oil, etc. LNG-based propulsion reduces the carbon footprint significantly and increases a ship's operational efficiency.
- With demand for LNG as a fuel expected to rise to 30 million tonnes by 2030, Europe, Asia, and North America are adding LNG bunkering vessels to keep pace with the swelling gas-powered fleet. These larger capacity LNG bunker vessels (LNGBVs) on order at shipyards are designed to load at major LNG terminals and refuel gas-powered ocean-going tonnage.
- As of February 2024, there were 48 LNG active bunkering vessels, 11 more than in 2022. Out of the total fleet, nearly half operate in Europe, while the rest operate in Asia and North America. By the end of 2024, the number of LNG bunkering vessel fleets is likely to reach 55 units, with a total added capacity of 67,900 cm in 2024 alone.
- Shipowners, particularly those operating in the European or American Sea, now prefer LNG-based vessels over conventional vessels. Furthermore, LNG-fueled ships have not penetrated the market for bulk carriers to a significant extent, as these ships are designed to carry heavy loads, and LNG technology is relatively new to apply for this type of vessel. The bulk carriers amount to the largest share of the in-operation ships.
- Moreover, the use of LNG as a fuel is both a proven and commercially available solution. LNG offers enormous advantages, especially for ships in the light of ever-tightening emission regulations. Conventional oil-based fuels are expected to remain the primary fuel option for most ships in the mid-term, while LNG is likely to become a popular choice in the long-term scenario.
- In April 2024, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of the technology group Wartsila, announced that it would supply the cargo handling system for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel being built for Spanish shipowner Scale Gas, a subsidiary of Enagás, the owner and operator of Spain’s gas grid. The vessel is co-financed by the Support for Sustainable and Digital Transport Programme, part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan from the Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda.
- LNG demand is likely to increase significantly in the forecast period as the order book for LNG vessels continues to increase due to it being relatively cheaper than conventional fuels and offering a 23% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over oil-based marine fuel, which will aid in meeting global decarbonization goals. These factors project LNG to be the most popular marine fuel in the future.
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Asia-Pacific Expected to Dominate the Market
- Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the bunker fuels market due to the immense maritime trade potential of countries like India, China, Singapore, and Japan.
- As of 2023, China ranked first in terms of exported goods and second for imported goods by value. In 2023, China imported goods worth around USD 2.5 trillion and exported USD 3.3 trillion. China's major exports are mechanical and electric machinery and equipment and automotive products, including vehicle parts, chemicals and plastics, iron and steel articles, and furniture.
- Australia is among the biggest exporters of LNG globally. Rising LNG exports have supported the growth in international trade in Australia. The export volume is likely to rise in the coming years as the demand for LNG is increasing significantly worldwide.
- To increase the share of the marine sector in international and domestic trade, the Indian government announced an investment of USD 22 billion by 2035 to modernize its existing ports and build new ports. The port infrastructure development is expected to increase the demand from the maritime industry and marine fuel suppliers in Asia-Pacific during the forecast period.
- In February 2024, Pavilion Energy, charterer of LNG bunker vessels, announced that LNG bunker vessel Brassavola had completed its first ship-to-ship (STS) LNG bunkering operation. In its maiden STS LNG bunkering operation, Brassavola delivered LNG to Rio Tinto chartered dual-fueled bulk carrier Mount Api.
- Therefore, in line with the aforementioned factors, Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the bunker fuels market during the forecast period.
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