LNG shipping companies launch trial to validate continuous emissions measurement

Lloyd’s Register (LR), Seapeak, Kongsberg Maritime, and Tunable have joined forces to advance emissions compliance through the deployment and verification of onboard emissions monitoring technology. This initiative, announced at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, will focus on validating the accuracy of Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) on a newly built LNG carrier scheduled for delivery in early 2027.

Project partners and objectives

The project brings together expertise from across the maritime value chain. Lloyd’s Register, as the independent verifier, will support the evaluation of measured emissions data from the vessel's CEMS. Seapeak, with its extensive fleet including 52 LNG carriers, aims to improve emissions insight and identify further reductions. Kongsberg Maritime provides the CEMS technology, while Tunable contributes gas analysis technology.

According to ship.energy, the partners will compare actual CO2 emissions recorded by the vessel's CEMS against both engine test bed data and default emissions factors. This comparison is crucial for quantifying differences and assessing the regulatory applicability of direct CO2 measurement against relevant International Maritime Organization (IMO) and European Union (EU) emissions reporting frameworks.

“The industry currently relies on default emissions factors and test bed data to estimate environmental performance,” said Panos Mitrou, SVP Shipping Strategy at Lloyd’s Register. “This initiative enables industry stakeholders the opportunity to compare estimated emissions performance against direct measurements from a vessel operating in real-world conditions.”

Technological advancements and challenges

Kongsberg Maritime's CEMS incorporates Tunable's gas analysis technology, aiming to provide accurate CO2 emissions data. The system also measures methane, which is particularly relevant given the pressure on the LNG sector to reduce methane slip. According to Marine Link/ MarineNews, excessive humidity can damage sensitive equipment in offshore measurement systems, impairing data quality and necessitating costly service call-outs. This project seeks to mitigate such risks through rigorous testing and validation.

The trial will involve monitoring and analysis throughout 2026 on the newly built LNG carrier. Both LR and Kongsberg Maritime emphasize that independently verified measurements can help improve confidence in emissions data used by shipowners, charterers, and regulators.

Implications for operators

This initiative has significant implications for LNG shipping companies looking to enhance their environmental performance reporting. Direct measurement of CO2 emissions provides a more accurate baseline against which the industry can benchmark its progress towards sustainability goals. Ship operators will benefit from improved transparency, better regulatory compliance, and enhanced operational efficiency through validated data.

Seapeak’s commitment to the UN's OGMP 2.0 methane reporting framework further underscores the importance of accurate emissions monitoring in the LNG sector. Verified onboard data could set a new standard for emission tracking, influencing future regulations and best practices within the industry.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Lloyd’s Register, Seapeak, Kongsberg Maritime, and Tunable signals a significant step towards more accurate and reliable emissions reporting in the LNG shipping sector. By validating continuous emissions measurement technology, these partners aim to establish a robust framework that can be adopted by other stakeholders in the industry.