New study commissioned by NABU and conducted by CE-Delft:
To which extend are LNG-powered ships compliant with Onshore Power Supply?
A new study commissioned by NABU ((Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V.) and conducted by CE Delft takes a critical look at LNG-powered ships and their ability to operate emission-free while connected to onshore power supply (OPS). The key finding: many LNG vessels are not able to fully eliminate emissions during port stays — even when plugged into shore power.
The main technical challenge is boil-off gas (BOG), which is continuously generated during LNG storage and must be safely managed. For some ship types, this can lead to additional fuel being burned not to meet energy demand, but simply to dispose of excess gas — undermining the climate and air quality benefits of OPS.
The study highlights a fundamental mismatch between current LNG ship technology and future OPS requirements, calling into question LNG’s role as a “bridge fuel” and reinforcing the need to align shipping regulation and infrastructure with truly zero-emission solutions.
