Decarbonization of shipping

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The decarbonization of shipping is an ongoing goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping to net-zero by or around 2050, which is the goal of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). [1] The IMO has an initial strategy. This includes the practice of lowering or limiting the combustion of fossil fuels for power and propulsion to limit emission of carbon dioxide (CO2). Additional measures include the development of alternative fuels such as green ammonia, hydrogen, and biofuels to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Contents

In July 2023, the IMO set a series of non-binding targets for cutting emissions, marking a significant step forward from the earlier 2018 plan. These targets, however, still fall short of complete alignment with the 2015 Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The IMO is also developing new regulations aiming to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of ship fuel and is planning to implement the world’s first global, mandatory charge on GHG emissions by 2027. This charge is intended to incentivize the reduction of emissions across the global fleet. [2]

Background

International trade of goods is primarily sea-based, followed by pipeline, air, and then rail/truck. Most sea vessels that transport goods use diesel or fuel oil, generating carbon dioxide. The maritime shipping industry transported almost 11 billion metric tonnes of cargo in 2022, which accounts for nearly 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions. [3] These emissions and potential oil spills can pose chronic risks to coastal regions, marine life, and ultimately ocean health in terms of pH and ecological diversity. A decrease in pH would make the oceans more acidic, lower free carbonates (which are a component of shellfish and corals exoskeletons/scaffolds), and decrease CO2 conversion to carbonates. [4] These are some of the environmental effects of shipping.

Issue

Since marine shipping moves nearly 80% of goods by tonnage and the trend of shipping is expected to double and may triple by 2050, decarbonization strategies are critical in tackling global warming and marine health. [5] [ better source needed ] Many major shipping entities have pledged to cut carbon emissions with the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. [6] An industry forum called the "Getting to Zero Coalition" has set a goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, which cannot be met by a single approach.

In 2021 the Center for Strategic and International Studies stated that governments and shipping industry leaders, such as Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Company, and France’s CMA CGM "have shown interest in decarbonization projects." [7] [8] [9] [10] In 2021 the European Union (EU) signaled "strong policy support for maritime decarbonization through their ‘Fit For 55’ (FF55) proposal, a package of 14 legislative proposals." [11]

Groups that represent more than 90% of the global shipping industry have called for a globally applicable carbon tax on the shipping industry's emissions, in order to provide financial incentives for implementation of new technologies, and provide necessary funding for research and development. [12]

A 2021 article states that extensive research and development is needed, as well as retrofitting and operational changes. [13] The rapidly changing industry response to decarbonization can be monitored in a weekly newsletter, [14] several conferences, [15] [16] [17] and a two day overview online course. [18] "Delay beyond 2023 would mean the future transition for international shipping is too rapid to be feasible," says Alice Larkin. "It has to be all hands on deck for international shipping now.” [13]

Proposed solutions

Various approaches have been proposed or implemented, such as the use of low carbon feedstocks (methanol, ammonia) or hydrogen and electrification with energy storage, construction of ships with lighter materials with high tensile strength, and digital operations for enhanced transport efficiency and container ship packing. [19] Some ships are partially automated with a skeleton crew to reduce the potential for human error, using telemetry based on ship onboard sensors, cloud computing, and machine learning or neural network-based decision-making. [20]

In larger shipping operations, a digital twin is created to simulate the trajectory based on real data from the actual ship, allowing operational managers to predict future scenarios and make decisions. These tools must be transparent yet safe to avoid hijacking and interference with other ships or transport, while also being low-cost for most operators to deploy and maintain. [21]

Electric ships are useful for short trips. Sparky, an "all-electric 70 tonne bollard pull harbor tugboat", is "the first e-tug of its type in the world." Sparky was christened in Auckland in August 2022. [22] The world's first hybrid tugboat, the Foss tug Carolyn Dorothy, began operation in 2009 in the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. [23] [24] The tour boat Kvitbjørn, ("polar bear"), operates in Svalbard, just a few hundred miles from the North Pole, piloting a newly developed Volvo Penta hybrid-electric propulsion system. [25] In June 2022, the Danish electric ferry Ellen made a record 90 km voyage on a single charge. [26]

Net zero fuels could be used, [27] [28] for example in ammonia or hydrogen-powered ships. Green hydrogen and ammonia produced from zero-carbon electricity (solar or wind power), are "the most promising options ... to decarbonize shipping" in 2022, according to the World Bank. [27] Biofuels can be net-zero fuels if "the production of fuel removes a quantity of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere that is equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during combustion." [27] [29] On July 21, 2022, Carnival's AIDAprima "became the first larger scale cruise ship to be bunkered with a blend of marine biofuel ... made from 100% sustainable raw materials such as waste cooking oil, and marine gas oil (MGO)." [30] As of April 2022, "ammonia, methanol and methane are viable deep sea shipping fuels, while compressed and liquid hydrogen are not", according to a World Economic Forum article. [31] The world's first hydrogen-powered tugboat was launched in May 2022, at the Astilleros Armon shipyard in Navia, Spain, and is scheduled to enter service in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in December 2022. [32] [33] Dual fuels engines, fuel storage options, and retrofit readiness [34] are important to ensure adaptability. [31] [35] Stena was the first shipowner in the world to retrofit a large vessel for methanol, converting its ro-pax Stena Germanica in 2015. [36] [37] Stena is partnering with methanol producer Proman and with MAN Energy Solutions to retrofit engines for dual-fuel operation on diesel and methanol. [38] [39]

Wind power is a traditional choice for shipping. Wallenius Marine is developing the Oceanbird, a cargo ship powered by wind that can carry 7,000 cars." [40] K Line is installing Seawing wind propulsion systems on five of its bulk carriers. The kite parafoils, which fly about 300 meters above the sea level, are estimated to reduce emissions by about 20%. [41]

Nuclear marine propulsion has been suggested to be the only long-proven and scalable propulsion technology that produces practically zero greenhouse gas emissions. [42] Small modular reactors for shipping are being investigated in South Korea. [43]

The European Investment Bank invests in port infrastructure to improve sustainability and reduce global transport chain emissions, including efforts that mitigate pollution from moored ships, such as shoreside electricity and ship garbage receiving facilities. Between 2018 and 2022, the Bank funded €1.3 billion on ports. [44] [45] [46]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maritime transport</span> Transport of people or goods via waterways

Maritime transport or more generally waterborne transport, is the transport of people (passengers) or goods (cargo) via waterways. Freight transport by sea has been widely used throughout recorded history. The advent of aviation has diminished the importance of sea travel for passengers, though it is still popular for short trips and pleasure cruises. Transport by water is cheaper than transport by air or ground, but significantly slower for longer distances. Maritime transport accounts for roughly 80% of international trade, according to UNCTAD in 2020.

Methanol fuel is an alternative biofuel for internal combustion and other engines, either in combination with gasoline or independently. Methanol (CH3OH) is less expensive to sustainably produce than ethanol fuel, although it is more toxic than ethanol and has a lower energy density than gasoline. Methanol is safer for the environment than gasoline, is an anti-freeze agent, prevents dirt and grime buildup within the engine, has a higher ignition temperature and can withstand compression equivalent to that of super high-octane gasoline. It can readily be used in most modern engines. To prevent vapor lock due to being a simple, pure fuel, a small percentage of other fuel or certain additives can be included. Methanol may be made from fossil fuels or renewable resources, in particular natural gas and coal, or biomass respectively. In the case of the latter, it can be synthesized from CO2 (carbon dioxide) and hydrogen. The vast majority of methanol produced globally is currently made with gas and coal. However, projects, investments, and the production of green-methanol has risen steadily into 2023. Methanol fuel is currently used by racing cars in many countries and has seen increasing adoption by the maritime industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydrogen economy</span> Using hydrogen to decarbonize more sectors

The hydrogen economy is an umbrella term for the roles hydrogen can play alongside low-carbon electricity to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The aim is to reduce emissions where cheaper and more energy-efficient clean solutions are not available. In this context, hydrogen economy encompasses the production of hydrogen and the use of hydrogen in ways that contribute to phasing-out fossil fuels and limiting climate change.

BMT Group Ltd, established in 1985, is an international multidisciplinary engineering, science and technology consultancy offering services particularly in the defence, security, critical infrastructure, commercial shipping, and environment sectors. The company's heritage dates to World War II. BMT's head office is at the Zig Zag Building, 70 Victoria Street Westminster, London, United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine propulsion</span> Systems for generating thrust for ships and boats on water

Marine propulsion is the mechanism or system used to generate thrust to move a watercraft through water. While paddles and sails are still used on some smaller boats, most modern ships are propelled by mechanical systems consisting of an electric motor or internal combustion engine driving a propeller, or less frequently, in pump-jets, an impeller. Marine engineering is the discipline concerned with the engineering design process of marine propulsion systems.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Environmental impact of shipping</span> Ocean pollution

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The GREEN cell shipping concept is a new concept for powering merchant shipping vessels using containerized power units and a global logistics chain to manage these containers. GREEN cell stands for Global Renewable Electrical Energy Network cell. The concept resulted from a thought experiment process involving engineers working for the ABB Group that took place on March 13, 2009 in Oslo, Norway. The concept was subsequently introduced in an ABB magazine, and remains under development, as part of an open innovation process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAN Energy Solutions</span> German company

MAN Energy Solutions SE is a German manufacturer of large diesel engines and turbomachinery for maritime and stationary applications based in Augsburg. The company develops and manufactures two-stroke and four-stroke diesel engines, as well as gas turbines, steam turbines, and compressors. MAN Energy Solutions also offers turbochargers, propellers, gas engines, and chemical reactors. Additionally, it produces ship engines that run on synthetic fuels and develops technologies for carbon capture and storage (CCS), large heat pumps, and electrolysers for the production of green hydrogen. The company employs around 15,000 people at more than 140 international locations, particularly in Germany, Denmark, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, India, and China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maersk Line</span> Danish shipping company

Maersk Line is a Danish international container shipping company and the largest operating subsidiary of Maersk, a Danish business conglomerate. Founded in 1928, it is the world's second largest container shipping company by both fleet size and cargo capacity, offering regular services to 374 ports in 116 countries. As of 2024, it employed over 100,000 people. Maersk Line operates over 700 vessels and has a total capacity of about 4.1 million TEU.

Wind-assisted propulsion is the practice of decreasing the fuel consumption of a merchant vessel through the use of sails or some other wind capture device. Sails used to be the primary means of propelling ships, but with the advent of the steam engine and the diesel engine, sails came to be used for recreational sailing only. In recent years with increasing fuel costs and an increased focus on reducing emissions, there has been increased interest in harnessing the power of the wind to propel commercial ships.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Initial IMO Strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships</span> Framework on greenhouse gases and maritime shipping

The Initial IMO Strategy on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships, or Initial IMO GHG Strategy, is the framework through which the International Maritime Organization (IMO) aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international maritime shipping. GHG emissions from shipping are about 3% of total GHG emissions, and under this strategy the IMO envisions their elimination within this century. However many companies and organizations say shipping should be decarbonized by 2050.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zero Emission Industries</span>

Zero Emission Industries, Inc. (ZEI) is an American hydrogen technology company founded in 2018 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Previously known as Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine, ZEI designs and manufactures hydrogen fuel cell power systems and hydrogen refueling solutions with a focus on maritime applications.

MV Sea Change is the first hydrogen fuel cell vessel in the United States and the first commercial fuel cell ferry in the world.

Carbon pricing of shipping is a charges that applies to maritime transport ships for their greenhouse gas emissions. Maritime transport makes up 3% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. In order to reach the goals set out in the Paris Agreement, the European Union and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have begun to implement or explore ways to reduce the carbon emissions produced by shipping.

References

  1. ↑ "Climate change: Shipping agrees net-zero goal but critics chide deal". BBC News . 2023-07-07. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
  2. ↑ Wittels, Jack (May 20, 2024). "How the Shipping Industry Is Trying to Cut Its Billion Tons of CO2 Emissions". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  3. ↑ "Decarbonizing Shipping | UN Global Compact". unglobalcompact.org.
  4. ↑ "Decarbonizing maritime shipping". MIT Technology Review.
  5. ↑ Brennan, Chris. "Air, Sea, Truck, or Rail: What's the Best Shipping Mode in 2022".
  6. ↑ "IMO (2020) Work on GHG Emissions". IMO. Archived from the original on 2020-09-19.
  7. ↑ Reinsch, William Alan (2021-04-13). "Hydrogen: The Key to Decarbonizing the Global Shipping Industry?". Washington, D.C.: Center for Strategic and International Studies . Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  8. ↑ Munoz, Tony (2021-05-31). "Decarbonizing Shipping: A Conversation with Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  9. ↑ Baker, Marcus. "Deep Dive on Decarbonization of Maritime Industry". New York, NY: Marsh McLennan. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  10. ↑ Mallouppas, George; Yfantis, Elias Ar (2021). "Decarbonization in Shipping Industry: A Review of Research, Technology Development, and Innovation Proposals". Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 9 (4): 415. doi: 10.3390/jmse9040415 . ISSN   2077-1312.
  11. ↑ ""Fit" for Decarbonizing Maritime Shipping: Improvements Needed to Fuel EU Maritime Proposal to Meet coZEV Corporate Climate Ambitions". Washington, D.C.: The Aspen Institute. 2022-03-21. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  12. ↑ Josephs, Jonathan (2021-04-21). "Climate change: Shipping industry calls for new global carbon tax". BBC News. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  13. 1 2 "Shipping Industry Needs More R&D to Meet Decarbonization Goals". Plantation, FL: The Maritime Executive. 2021-11-03.
  14. ↑ "Shipping Decarbonization Weekly Insights". Breakwave Advisors. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  15. ↑ "IMO-Singapore Future of Shipping Conference: Decarbonisation 2022". IMO. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  16. ↑ "3rd Decarbonizing Shipping Forum". www.decarbonizingforum.com. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  17. ↑ "SHIPPINGInsight Conference: The Unsung Heroes of Shipping's Decarbonization". ISACOL S.A.S. Ship Agents in Colombia. 2021-10-16. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  18. ↑ "Decarbonizing Shipping (online training). Online blended learning training course that gives an overview of the realistic options that exist to meet the 2050 targets for CO2 reduction". DNV, Det Norske Veritas. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  19. ↑ "Home". Poseidon Principles for Financial Institutions. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
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  21. ↑ McDonagh, Gray (2021). "Decarbonising ships, planes and trucks: An analysis of suitable low-carbon fuels for the maritime, aviation and haulage sectors" (PDF). Advances in Applied Energy. 1: 100008. Bibcode:2021AdAE....100008G. doi: 10.1016/j.adapen.2021.100008 . S2CID   234247965.
  22. ↑ "Electric Tug Sparky Chistened in Auckland". Marine Propulsion. 2022-08-11. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  23. ↑ "New Foss Hybrid Tug Steals the Show in LA". Professional Mariner. September 9, 2009. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  24. ↑ "Second Foss Hybrid Tug Headed to SOCAL". Marine Propulsion. 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  25. ↑ "Svalbard Tour Boat Ushers New Technology—And a New Business Model". Marine Propulsion. 2022-08-01. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  26. ↑ "Danish Electric Ferry Completes World-record 90km Voyage on a Single Charge". Marine Propulsion. 2022-08-17. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  27. 1 2 3 Islam, Roumeen; Englert, Dominik (2022-03-16). "Infrastructure Podcast | Decarbonized Shipping". World Bank. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  28. ↑ "Decarbonization of the shipping industry". CIBC Capital Markets. November 10, 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  29. ↑ Brown, Jennifer; Casarotto, Edoardo; Debatin, Maximilian; Ritsch, Nicola (2021-07-01). "Zero-carbon shipping: A sea of opportunities for developing countries". World Bank. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  30. ↑ "Carnival's AIDA Cruises Makes Biofuels Foray". Marine Propulsion. New York, NY: New Wave Media. 2022-07-27. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  31. 1 2 Bourboulis, Stamatis; Krantz, Randall; Mouftier, Lara (2022-04-11). "3 actions the industry can take to decarbonize shipping". World Economic Forum. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  32. ↑ "Hydrotug: World's First Hydrogen-powered Tug Launched". MarineLink. 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  33. ↑ "Hydrotug: World's First Hydrogen-powered Tug Launched". Marine Propulsion. 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  34. ↑ Bourboulis, Stamatis; Krantz, Randall; Mouftier, Lara (2022-05-09). "Alternative fuels: Retrofitting ship engines". Global Maritime Forum . Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  35. ↑ Premack, Rachel; Williams, Melissa (2022-08-11). "A Shell executive reveals how the energy giant wants to decarbonize the shipping industry". FreightWaves. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  36. ↑ Ajdin, Adis (2021-10-21). "Stena gets into the methanol retrofit business". Splash247. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  37. ↑ Haines, Chantal (2021-10-22). "Stena partners with methanol producer for wide-ranging retrofit solution". Marine Industry News. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  38. ↑ "Stena Partners with Proman to Develop Methanol Retrofit and Supply Solution". Marine Propulsion. 2021-10-21. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  39. ↑ "MAN, Stena and Proman Join on Methanol Retrofit Project". Clean Shipping International. 2022-08-11. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  40. ↑ Masterson, Victoria (2022-07-26). "From electric ferries to wind-powered boats: here's how the shipping industry can decarbonize". World Economic Forum . Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  41. ↑ "'K' Line Orders Airseas Kites for Three More Ships". Marine Propulsion. 2022-07-20. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  42. ↑ "Shipping industry should consider nuclear option for decarbonizing: experts". S&P Global. 2020-11-04. Retrieved 2020-11-06.
  43. ↑ "South Korean partnership to develop SMR-powered ships : New Nuclear - World Nuclear News". world-nuclear-news.org. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  44. ↑ European Investment Bank (2023-08-17). Clean oceans and the blue economy Overview 2023. European Investment Bank. ISBN   978-92-861-5518-5.
  45. ↑ European Investment Bank (2022-06-28). Sustainable transport Overview 2022. European Investment Bank.
  46. ↑ Kwasniok, Ronja (1921-09-29). "European Investment Bank (EIB)". Changing Transport. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
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