The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have released a report that identifies liquefied natural gas and methanol as the two most viable clean marine fuels for the near and medium future. 

According to the report, both LNG and methanol offer attractive pathways to cutting emissions from maritime vessels, depending on how the fuels are produced and sourced. For LNG, the fuel has the advantage of a mature global bunkering network, proven vessel technology, and the fact that there are already more than 1,500 LNG vessels in service or currently on order. Methanol has also picked up momentum in recent years among major container carriers, due to its ease of handling, compatibility with existing liquid fuel infrastructure, and its strong decarbonization potential. 

“Strategic investments guided by this study will enable a growing market for these green marine fuels, helping ships serving the trans-Pacific transition to a cleaner future,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. “The findings provide a promising path for us to work with our partners to continue improving air quality across the region in pursuit of our zero-emissions ambitions.”

Read More: PoLA Reports Record Low Emissions per Container

Of the 19 shipping lines the ports spoke to for the study, 13 said that they support LNG as a green fuel alternative, while nine expressed support for methanol. Other options like ammonia, hydrogen and battery-electric technologies were described as important to monitor, although challenges persist around availability, infrastructure requirements and operational readiness within the next decade. 

To encourage the use of green fuels at the San Pedro Bay ports, the report recommends incentivizing early adoption for methanol to encourage shipping lines to bunker the fuel at Long Beach and Los Angeles. LNG planning should also focus on developing safe, efficient and reliable bunkering operations, while pulling from existing supply sources in British Columbia, Canada, and promising upcoming development projects along the Baja California coastline in Mexico.