The global shipping industry is being misled by the promise of LNG, according to Fuelre4m CEO Rob Mortimer, who warns: “It’s not a transition fuel, it’s a transition business model.”

“Too many players are profiting from LNG’s green image while ignoring the science,” says Mr Mortimer. “Methane slip has risen 180% since 2016 and methane is over 80 times more potent than CO₂. You can’t rebrand physics. LNG ultimately fails the climate test.”

Mr Mortimer argues that the LNG boom is being driven by commercial, not environmental, motives, from shipyards chasing newbuild orders to energy companies offloading gas reserves.

“Rather than asking whether LNG reduces emissions, shipowners and regulators should ask who benefits when LNG is promoted as the solution?’” Mr Mortimer added. “Until scalable, proven zero-carbon alternatives exist, the responsible path is optimisation: measure what you burn, remove waste and emissions from existing systems, and only then transition to alternative fuels based on independent evidence, which we still don’t have.”

Fuelre4m warns the industry is on course for stranded assets and wasted capital, with owners facing the risk of expensive retrofits and declining vessel values. “We’re locking ourselves into another false promise while the IMO looks the other way,” said Mr Mortimer. “It’s time for honesty, not hype.”

Instead of betting on unproven fuels, Fuelre4m is calling for rigorous lifecycle measurement, accountability, and optimisation of existing fuel. “Measure what you burn, cut waste, and demand proof before you call it progress,” Mr Mortimer said. “The responsible path starts with real data — not marketing slogans.”

Fuelre4m is an independent provider of fuel optimisation, emissions measurement and advisory services for the maritime sector. The company helps shipowners, managers and charterers understand the true climate and commercial performance of fuel choices and implement practical steps to reduce emissions across operations.