POTENTIAL OF NATURAL GAS DEMAND GROWTH IN GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY

摘要

Currently, the global market share of natural gas in the transportation sector accounts for a small portion. However, due to reasons such as low fuel price compared to other energy prices and more stringent regulation of the environment, the fastest growth rate in natural gas consumption is expected to be in the transportation sector. The most striking change in the transport sector is that LNG demand for Heavy duty vehicles will increase. Long-distances and high utilization requirements are typically better suited to LNG than CNG. In addition, the LNG bunkering market is expected to expand globally. The LNG demand for LNG fuelled ships in North America and Northwest Europe, due to mandatory environmental regulations within IMO-designated ECAs, would rapidly increase from 2020 but Asia is expected to accelerate after 2025 in which the 0.5% sulfur regulation is likely to be introduced in the world. It is necessary that the LNG production and regasification facilities as well as LNG bunkering stations are well established to meet the increasing LNG demand as a transportation fuel. It is obvious that LNG fuelled ships and the LNG Bunkering market will become a global trend to cope with more stringent emissions regulations. In addition, it is expected that the LNG bunkering business would solidify its place as a core value in the port industry, the shipping & shipbuilding industry, and the natural gas industry.