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Accepted Paper:
Black hands, blue energy: the LNG transport and its controversies.
Marianna Betti
(University of Bergen)
Today’s transition to zero-emission and the western democratic project relies on LNG.Paradoxically,transport of LNG on ships faces challenges in crew safety,just labor and environmental impact.Through this case,the paper delves into these complexities and the contradictory nature of the green shift.
Paper Abstract:
The transition to a zero-emission society is facilitated by the crucial role of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a cleaner energy resource, utilizing existing infrastructure and acting as a transitional energy source. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, disruptions in gas exports to Europe have elevated the importance of LNG from regions like the US, Qatar, and Australia, symbolizing both the democratic Western project and the energy transition. Meanwhile, the emphasis on the blue economy promotes a sustainable maritime industry, prompting the retrofitting and automation of LNG carriers to meet environmental standards. While equipped with hybrid engines running on various fuels, practical challenges arise, forcing the crew of these ships to use heavy oil outside regulated emission control areas. This not only contributes to environmental pollution but also poses risks to the crew engaged in demanding and potentially hazardous work. The paper explores the complexities of decarbonization efforts, considering the proximity of workers to infrastructures and technologies essential for this shift. Drawing on Mary Douglas, the paper explores how this proximity challenges natural and symbolic boundaries, potentially exposing workers to contamination as they safeguard the LNG cargo. The organized conglomerate of experiments within LNG carriers, managing dirt and heavy oil residues, exemplifies the contradictory nature of their role in facilitating the green shift, simultaneously exacerbating vulnerability for those involved.