Climate change is without a doubt a global emergency. All industries, including the maritime sector, must take immediate collaborative action to reduce carbon emissions and implement greener, more sustainable initiatives that lessen our impact on the planet.
In the maritime industry, environmental sustainability and the sector’s reliance on fossil fuels is of growing concern. This is evident in the momentum across the industry, which demonstrates many maritime owners, operators, businesses and seafarers alike already have the willingness to act. However, current actions are not enough. The maritime industry must take drastic action if it hopes to address rising carbon emissions.
So what does the pathway to decarbonising the maritime industry look like? The answer lies in improving energy efficiency, shifting away from fossil fuels, adopting new technologies and implementing the right regulatory measures.
Improving energy efficiency
The maritime industry is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for about 3% of global emissions every year. As a result, reducing emissions is crucial for mitigating climate change and decarbonising the industry as a whole. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by improving the energy efficiency of vessels.
This can be achieved through measures such as optimising the design of vessels and ships as well as implementing more energy-efficient technologies both at sea and onshore. This includes waste heat recovery systems, which can recover and reuse the warmth generated by the engine of a vessel and reduce the amount of fuel needed to create heat during operations.
Shifting to alternative fuels
Another pathway to decarbonisation is the use of more fuel-efficient engines, such as those that use liquefied natural gas (LNG) or hydrogen. While traditional fossil fuels like heavy fuel oil and marine diesel oil are the most commonly used fuels for transportation, shipping, marine engineering and other crucial maritime services such as ship management, there are several alternative fuels that have the potential to reduce emissions.
Biofuels are a promising alternative fuel source. These fuels are produced from renewable sources such as algae or waste materials and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% when compared to traditional fossil fuels. Biofuels can be blended with traditional fuels or used as a standalone fuel, depending on the engine of the vessel.
There’s also hydrogen, which can produce electricity and ammonia, which can be produced from renewable energy sources. Both can be used to power ships with zero emissions. Of course, scaling up the production of alternative fuels to meet the demands of the maritime industry will require significant investment in infrastructure, such as refineries and distribution networks, production facilities and storage facilities.
Adopting new technologies
New technologies such as electric propulsion systems, batteries and fuel cells can also help to reduce emissions from the maritime industry. These technologies can be used in a range of ships, from small boats to large cargo vessels, as well as onshore at ports and other important infrastructure.
For example, electric propulsion systems utilise electric motors to power the propellers of a vessel. These systems can be powered by electricity from batteries, fuel cells or even onshore power – reducing or even eliminating emissions entirely. Electric propulsion systems are particularly well-suited to small vessels such as boats and ferries, which operate on shorter routes and can easily be recharged at ports.
Batteries are also being increasingly used to power ships. Batteries can be charged using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power, which provides a zero-emission power source for ships and vessels. Batteries can also be used in combination with electric propulsion systems or to power auxiliary systems on traditional fossil fuel-powered ships, which reduces both carbon emissions and fuel consumption.
Implementing regulatory measures
Governments can also play a role in decarbonising the maritime industry by implementing regulatory measures. For example, they can introduce emissions standards for vessels, which could be based on factors such as the age and size of the vessel, the type of fuel used and the conditions in which a vessel operates. By setting emissions limits for vessels, governments can encourage owners/operators to invest in technologies that reduce emissions.
Governments could also incentivise the use of low-carbon technologies by offering financial support or tax incentives to owners/operators within the industry who adopt these technologies. For example, subsidies could be provided for the purchase of electric or hybrid vessels as well as tax credits for the use of renewable fuels.
By working together with key industry stakeholders, governments can help to create a more sustainable future for the maritime industry while reducing its impact on the environment. Therefore, we can assume that the key component to decarbonising the maritime industry is collaboration. Across the sector, owners, operators, government parties and seafarers alike must work together to overcome what is perhaps the greatest challenge the modern maritime industry has faced.
Summary
So what it’s going to take to decarbonise the maritime industry? The answer is a combination of enhancing energy efficiency, transitioning away from fossil fuels, embracing innovative technologies and implementing appropriate legislation and incentives.
The urgent issue of climate change requires all sectors to take immediate and collaborative action in reducing carbon emissions and adopting sustainable initiatives to minimise our impact on the environment. In the maritime sector, there is growing concern over environmental sustainability and dependence on fossil fuels. Although many owners, operators, businesses and seafarers are willing to take action, current efforts are insufficient. The industry needs to take more radical steps to make a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions.