Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a viable option for fuelling ships, and owners should not be concerned about issues of price, availability, or safety, Wärtsilä Corporation (Wärtsilä) CEOBjorn Rosengren told an audience at an Interferry conference in Malta earlier this month, industry news site Maritime Executive reports.

"We are convinced it will be one of the main marine fuels of the future and much of our R&D spend is dedicated to this," he said.

Wärtsilä already has a reference list of more than 200 LNG installations on vessels and on land, with a total of 77 million running hours.

The groundbreaking LNG-powered Viking Grace ferry, which began operations this year, is now being bunkered six times a week during one-hour stops in Stockholm, providing evidence for the viability of the technology, Rosengren said.

Another industry player, Per Westling,managing director of Sweden's Stena RoRo, said the company has chosen to convert its 25 vessels to methanol rather than LNG, with the change-over planned to be completed by 2018.

"Conversion to methanol is considerably less expensive and basically just involves the fuel injection and tank ventilation systems.," he said.

"For LNG you have to change everything but the engine block and crankshaft. 

"The environmental and cost benefits led us to methanol."

Crude prices retreated today after no agreement on the U.S. budget was reached and talks between Iran and major Western powers began.

Investors remain uncertain about the situation inWashington and when a deal might be reached to raise the debt ceiling and avoid default.

Additional pressure in today's move came as speculators anticipated United States stockpiles rose last week and refiner operations fell.

Due to the current government shutdown, the EIA will not release their report on Wednesday, which is what most focus on for a look at U.S. inventory data. 

However, the API will release their report Wednesday, giving investors some insight as to what crude stockpiles are looking like.

Talks today between Iran and Western powers began, which many believe will begin steps to easing sanctions against Iran.

It may take some time for Iranian crude to enter the marketplace, but the tone so far is said to be positive.

WTI dropped $1.20 to settle at $101.21/bbl, and Brent came back $1.08 to end the session at$109.96/bbl. Bunker prices were softer in the primary ports.

Crude markets fell today following the move in equities as the possible shut down of the U.S.Government had investors selling off risky assets.

Congress has until midnight tonight to reach an agreement and pass a budget, otherwise it is reported that nonessential government operations could stop.

Investors fear that if the budget is not passed, it could begin to inhibit fourth quarter economic growth and eventually lead to a decrease in demand for crude in the world's largest oil-consuming nation.

Pressure also continued to come out of the Middle East, as tension in Syria cooled and last week President Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke by phone which could be  a step towards a diplomatic solution between Iran and the West.

WTI dropped $0.54 to settle at $102.33/bbl and Brent fell $0.26 to finish at $108.37/bbl. Bunker prices were stable in the primary ports.