MSC is also an active partner and member of the Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative and the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel. Credit: Mariusz Bugno/Shutterstock.

The maritime industry coalition, SEA-LNG, has welcomed, Mediterranean Shipping Corporation (MSC), one of the world’s top shipping corporations, as its newest member.

SEA-LNG focuses on the development of LNG bunkering in major ports, educating stakeholders as to the risks and opportunities of LNG fuel, as well as developing global regulations for cleaner shipping fuels.

According to its MSC 2022 sustainability report, the company anticipates fossil-based LNG being progressively replaced by LNG produced from biomass and renewable sources.

Peter Keller, Chairman of SEA-LNG, said: “As one of the world’s leading shipping companies, MSC’s decision to work with our coalition of companies across the LNG value chain demonstrates its confidence in the LNG pathway as a viable solution for flexibly advancing shipping along its decarbonisation journey.”

MSC expects that in the early to mid-2030s there will be sufficient availability of bio and synthetic LNG to meet half of the demands of the industry, increasing to 100% availability by early to mid-2040s.

Maritime Policy & Government Affairs MSC Group executive vice-president Bud Darr emphasised the companies anticipation to work with SEA-LNG to oversee the potential of renewable and synthetic bio-LNG properties.

Darr said: “We are committed to catalysing the development, accessibility and uptake of net zero fuels and believe we have found another excellent partner to help continue to drive the industry in this direction.

“In alignment with our net zero commitments by 2050, we view fossil-based LNG as a fuel in transition and fully expect bio and renewable synthetic LNG to be a key part of our longer-term multi-fuel strategy for deploying net zero fuels.”

In addition, MSC Cruises, a division of the shipping company, recently published its sustainability report in 2022, which highlighted its focus on LNG.

MSC Cruises’ highlight of 2022 was the launch of MSC World Europa, the world’s largest LNG-powered cruise ship and an award-winning project for the Italian shipping firm.

MSC noted that the MSC World Europa and two other LNG vessels scheduled for delivery in 2023 and 2025 are assisting in the company’s goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

This partnership follows the SEA-LNG’s recent addition of Enestas, meaning that the maritime coalition now has its 37th member.