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SHIP TECHNOLOGY
Shipping needs to take urgent action to achieve its environmental targets — and the internal combustion engine can help the industry achieve its decarbonisation mission, according to Marc Sima of Fuelsave
TIME TO TAKE ACTION
Marc Sima Chief Executive, Fuelsave
From the longer-term effects of climate change to the immediate shock and uncertainty of the global pandemic, shipping is firmly in the midst of a historic period. Environmental, Social and Governance and green financing pressures, along with government and private sector climate reduction ambitions, are pushing the maritime sector to make complex and costly decisions within increasing timeconstraints. Time is not on our side. The International Maritme Organization’s target to reduce CO2 by 40% by 2030 is just around the corner. In addition, by 2050 – the equivalent of one ship’s lifecycle away – the sector must reach 70% CO2 emissions reductions. The growing majority of the shipping industry accepts that action is needed now to reach these targets. But what can we do today to make an immediate impact, while charting a clear pathway for the adoption of zero-carbon future fuels? In an ideal world, shipping’s decarbonisation dilemma could be resolved
C L E A N S H I P P I N G INTERNATIONAL – Autumn 2021
by waiting for the current fleet to reach the end of its life, before replacing it with a fleet of new highly efficient vessels. However, with targets looming large on the horizon, we don’t have time to sit back and wait. Short term measures to address emissions reductions from the current fleet are essential. In particular, we must turn our attention to the older, more polluting vessels. According to Elizabeth Lindstad, chief scientist at Sintef, 80% of emissions came from just 20% of the current fleet. We must prioritise tackling the emissions from these older vessels, as well as the remainder of the current fleet, or else risk irreversible damage to our climate. The science is clear. A study by the University of Manchester highlights the potential benefits of using the existing fleet as a vehicle to achieve decarbonisation targets, as opposed to delaying until new more sustainable ships come online. There is no silver bullet to tackling these emissions in the short-term. It will require a
