Lagos, Nigeria — The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has highlighted its commitment to environmental protection through its decision to power its vessels with gas. This move is part of a broader strategy to align with international environmental standards and regulations.
Speaking at the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) event, Mr. Ahmed Abdulkadir, Managing Director of NLNG Shipping Management Limited (NSML), underscored the company’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions. Abdulkadir explained that the use of gas as a fuel source is a significant step towards achieving cleaner and more efficient shipping operations.
“The industry is really moving away from what is regarded as dirty fuel into cleaner fuel and gas,” Abdulkadir stated. “So our vessels today are designed to run on gas because it is cleaner and more efficient.”
He elaborated on the financial and regulatory motivations behind this decision, noting that the cost of using cleaner fuels like gas is increasingly competitive compared to traditional, dirtier fuels. This shift is also driven by stringent regulations from the European Union (EU) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which aim to promote environmental sustainability in shipping.
Abdulkadir mentioned that gas has lower carbon content compared to oil, making it a preferable choice under current environmental regulations. He pointed out that carbon emissions penalties in Europe have heightened the need for cleaner fuel options.
“Our vessels now use only gas, and we only use oil in emergencies or when we run out of gas,” Abdulkadir added. “We always have gas available, and we are committed to ensuring that our vessels remain efficient and environmentally friendly.”
NLNG’s focus on using gas as a fuel underscores its role in advancing environmental sustainability within the maritime industry and aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints and improve fuel efficiency.
