THE World Shipping Council (WSC) is underpinning the development and production of zero-carbon fuels as a crucial part missing in the campaign to decarbonise the maritime industry, reports IHS Media.
The WSC called for International Maritime Organisation (IMO) member nations to ensure regulatory blocks were in place to support shipping's transition to renewable energy.
'Our core challenge is to create the regulatory structure to drive development, production, and adoption of low and near-zero GHG (green house gas) fuels and technologies, coupled with the necessary investments in renewable energy production for an equitable transition,' said WSC president John Butler.
Shipping accounts for three per cent of carbon emissions caused by human activities, and the imo has a target of cutting carbon dioxide emissions 40 per cent by 2030, measured against a 2008 baseline, and 70 per cent by 2050.
The IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in May agreed on a 'basket of candidate midterm measures,' including a greenhouse gas (GHG) levy, a GHG fuel standard, emissions trading, and a funding/reward system.
Mr Butler said that while the proposals 'all have their strengths,' they also have challenges.
He also noted that the IMO's goal to phase out GHG emissions from shipping would require significant investment in the production and supply of low and zero-GHG fuels.
Mr Butler highlighted three suggestions that he said would support progress and ensure regulations were effective.
First, the global fuel standard proposal should include fewer steps and establish dates for each step based on projected fuel and technology production.
'This will encourage earlier investment in the production of low and near-zero GHG fuels, increase R&D towards more significant technology advances, and reduce the risk of the regulation stalling investments based on incremental change,' he said.
Second, Mr Butler stated there should be an IMO green corridors programme. Green corridors could be created to connect developed and developing economies with the introduction of appropriate ships and fuel infrastructure.
Lastly, a benchmarking approach using a lifecycle-based GHG intensity metric.
SeaNews Turkey
The WSC called for International Maritime Organisation (IMO) member nations to ensure regulatory blocks were in place to support shipping's transition to renewable energy.
'Our core challenge is to create the regulatory structure to drive development, production, and adoption of low and near-zero GHG (green house gas) fuels and technologies, coupled with the necessary investments in renewable energy production for an equitable transition,' said WSC president John Butler.
Shipping accounts for three per cent of carbon emissions caused by human activities, and the imo has a target of cutting carbon dioxide emissions 40 per cent by 2030, measured against a 2008 baseline, and 70 per cent by 2050.
The IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in May agreed on a 'basket of candidate midterm measures,' including a greenhouse gas (GHG) levy, a GHG fuel standard, emissions trading, and a funding/reward system.
Mr Butler said that while the proposals 'all have their strengths,' they also have challenges.
He also noted that the IMO's goal to phase out GHG emissions from shipping would require significant investment in the production and supply of low and zero-GHG fuels.
Mr Butler highlighted three suggestions that he said would support progress and ensure regulations were effective.
First, the global fuel standard proposal should include fewer steps and establish dates for each step based on projected fuel and technology production.
'This will encourage earlier investment in the production of low and near-zero GHG fuels, increase R&D towards more significant technology advances, and reduce the risk of the regulation stalling investments based on incremental change,' he said.
Second, Mr Butler stated there should be an IMO green corridors programme. Green corridors could be created to connect developed and developing economies with the introduction of appropriate ships and fuel infrastructure.
Lastly, a benchmarking approach using a lifecycle-based GHG intensity metric.
SeaNews Turkey