Bureau Veritas executive Matthieu de Tugny says liquefied natural gas remains essential for shipping's transition, as scalable green fuels remain years away. He urged pragmatic action to reduce emissions while supporting long-term net-zero goals, reports Oslo's TradeWinds.

Mr de Tugny said the International Maritime Organization's Net-Zero Framework remains complex and unclear, despite recent discussions. He called for clarity and realism, noting that zero or near-zero fuel availability is still limited.

Green methanol shows promise but needs development, while green ammonia is viable only in niche trades. Mr de Tugny said global energy trends point to increased reliance on natural gas, which could displace coal and boost seaborne LNG volumes.

He said the shipping sector should leverage existing LNG investments and infrastructure, while gradually adopting bio-methane and e-methane. LNG's safety record and low greenhouse gas intensity make it the best fossil fuel option.

Operational experience from LNG bunkering offers lessons for future fuels. Mr de Tugny said most ships afloat and on order still burn fuel oil and will likely remain in service beyond 2040, making biofuel the only realistic alternative.

He stressed the need for immediate action to reduce voyage emissions and said systemic changes like wind propulsion and platforms such as Blue-Visby can help. Support from customers and charterers is also key.

Mr de Tugny concluded that shipping must remain flexible and open to surprises, as some technologies may evolve slower or faster than expected. He called for agreement on a practical path forward to support global decarbonisation.