SUNY Maritime to host LNG conference

The following is the text of a news release from the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College:

(THROGGS NECK, N.Y.) — SUNY Maritime College will host a conference, "LNG: Not Just a Cargo," on Thursday, Nov. 2. 

The conference will include presentations and panel discussions from a wide variety of maritime companies.

“For years, shipping companies have focused on transporting LNG,” said Eric Johansson, professor of marine transportation at SUNY and vice chairman of the professional education and training department. “While the need for LNG bunker vessels is growing, we also need to consider it as a maritime fuel. This conference will bring industry leaders together for a large and important conversation.”

Demand for liquefied natural gas is growing. By 2020, LNG is expected to account for 10 percent of the world’s crude production.

As demand for natural gas grows, so does the need for LNG carriers. Many shipping companies in recent years have placed orders for LNG ships, and shipyards are busy building them. The maritime industry is also beginning to explore ships powered by natural gas rather than more traditional sources.

LNG is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective, and emissions regulations are increasingly being adopted and stricter standards are being enforced.

The conference will feature speakers from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), DNV GL, General Dynamics, TOTE Maritime, Shell and Northstar Midstream.

The event is sponsored by TOTE Maritime, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., General Dynamics, Northstar Midstream, Clay Maitland, International Registries Inc., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and the New York City Economic Development Corp.

The conference begins at 9 a.m. It will be held in the Maritime Academic Center on campus. Admission is free but registration is required. To register, email maritimeindustry@sunymaritime.edu.

By Professional Mariner Staff