If you build it, they will come…

‘Chicken and egg’ of LNG power is about to be resolved in the Caribbean…

By Gary Gimson

I suppose it’s a bit like driving an electric car – all very well in theory, but when it comes to the practicalities of day-to-day ownership the idea is less attractive. Your car is apparently eco-friendly, but the downsides include range anxiety and availability of supply.

There are some similarities between electric cars and LNG-powered ships, particularly when it comes to availability of supply.

And then there’s a more general ‘chicken and egg’ conundrum, namely, which comes first – LNG-powered ships or LNG bunker stations? Do vessel owners operate a ship when fuel supplies may be a problem? Conversely, do suppliers of LNG invest in expensive bunker stations when there are no buyers for the fuel? This is the dilemma for the shipping industry.

Read more: LNG Bunkering