In Washington D.C., the U.S. Department of Energy on February 28 issued an order modifying regulatory oversight on liquefied natural gas bunkering, clarifying that ship-to-ship LNG transfers for marine fuel use in U.S. waters and international waters will not be considered exports. The decision, which revises a December 2024 order affecting JAX LNG, removes barriers for LNG as a marine fuel, a move Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Tala Goudarzi called “a significant step in reducing regulatory burdens.”
JAX LNG, a small-scale LNG facility at Dames Point near Jacksonville, Florida, supplies fuel to cruise ships, car carriers, petroleum tankers, and container vessels. The DOE’s revised order maintains that LNG transfers to ships in foreign territorial waters will still be treated as exports but otherwise lifts the previous restrictions.
The order aligns with the growing demand for LNG-powered vessels, driven by tightening emissions regulations. According to the International Energy Agency’s January 2025 Quarterly Gas Report, the global LNG-fueled fleet is projected to nearly double by 2028, surpassing 1,200 vessels. DOE’s move is expected to support this expansion by simplifying compliance for LNG bunkering operations in U.S. ports.
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Tags: DOE, LNG, Washington D.C.
Category: Sustainable Marine Fuels
