The LNG Detour: What Scotland's New Ferry Teaches US - CleanTechnica

The article discusses Scotland’s Glen Sannox ferry, launched as the country’s first “green” ferry designed to run on dual fuels—marine diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG)—with the goal of reducing emissions and improving local air quality on the mainland-Arran route. Despite its green intentions, the project has faced significant challenges, including a decade-long delay, escalating costs, and technical issues. The ferry only entered service in January 2025, ten years after its initial order in 2015. Meanwhile, recent research, notably the ICCT’s 2024 FUMES study, revealed that methane slip (unburned methane emissions) from LNG engines is significantly higher than previously estimated, casting doubt on the ferry’s climate benefits. CalMac’s analysis shows Glen Sannox emits about 10,391 tons of CO2 equivalent annually, approximately 35% more than the older diesel ferry it replaced, the Caledonian Isles, which emits 7,