India looks to trial liquefied natural gas as fuel for fishing boat

India is set to trial the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the fishing sector in an unusual move ahead of new marine fuel standards that start next year.

The South Asian country's Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), which is a think-tank and advisory body set up by the government of Kerala, issued an expression of interest (EOI) this week for a pilot project to useLNGto fuel a fishing boat.

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It is looking to retrofit an existing marine diesel engine system in a fishing boat currently in Kochi to enable it to operate on bothLNGand diesel in what is known as a dual fuel system.

Fishing boats are typically fuelled by diesel, but a new regulation by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) that limits the sulphur content of fuel used in ships by 2020 could push governments to explore the use of cleaner fuels.

LNGis not widely used in the fishing industry due to limited bunkering infrastructure and high costs.

The project will also involve the installation of anLNGfuel storage tank and other associated equipment and pipelines by modifying the boat hull, according to the EOI.

K-DISC has asked for the work to be done in 18 weeks and is requesting proposals by September7, with commercial bids to be submitted by late October.