European Commission Faces Pressure from SEA-LNG on Liquefied Biomethane Supply Chain Protection

SEA-LNG is urging the European Commission to protect liquefied biomethane supply chains ahead of expected revisions to the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) framework. The coalition argues that liquefaction by equivalence pathways for liquefied biomethane are the lowest-cost and lowest-emission chain of custody for compliance under FuelEU Maritime and EU ETS.

According to SEA-LNG analysis, LBM bunker volumes grew approximately 100-fold in 2025 compared with 2024, with the majority delivered via the mass-balance terminal pathway. This method leverages Europe's existing network of more than 33 LNG import terminals and around 200,000 km of gas transmission infrastructure without requiring new capital investment in liquefaction plants.

SEA-LNG is calling on the European Commission to recognize liquefaction by equivalence and recondenser liquefaction as valid RED III mass-balance pathways. The coalition also urges regulatory coherence between Annexes V/VI and Implementing Regulation 996, preservation of cross-border mass-balance mechanisms, and long-term investment certainty through a stable regulatory framework extending beyond 2030.

Steve Esau, Chief Operating Officer at SEA-LNG, emphasized the importance of decarbonizing the maritime sector. 'Liquefied biomethane is one of the few fuels capable of meeting Europe's maritime decarbonisation obligations at scale and speed. The mass-balance terminal route using liquefaction by equivalence is why LBM bunkering grew a hundredfold last year,' he said.