Three technologies could cut carbon emissions and reduce fuel consumption in shipping by up to 30% - report
Energy Technologies Institute
A new report from the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has highlighted technology which has the ability to reduce fuel consumption.
Eliminating fossil-fuels for shipping does not appear credible in the next few decades so the best potential to achieve substantial CO2 reduction is through reducing fuel consumption, a new report has revealed.
The International Maritime Organization have stated that maritime emissions could rise by up to 250% by 2050 compared to 2011 levels unless action is taken. The greatest CO2 emissions come from tankers, bulk carriers and container ships and, as it does not appear credible to eliminate fossil-fuels for shipping, the best potential to achieve substantial CO2 reduction in the next few decades will be through reducing fuel consumption, the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has said.
The report highlights affordable measures and technologies that could be taken to reduce the fuel consumption and carbon emissions from shipping.
Ocean-going ships have the biggest impacts on CO2 emissions due to the length and speed of their voyages and the current calculation method under-plays the UK’s share of international shipping carbon emissions.
The ETI report “HDV Marine Insights” analyses the UK shipping fleet, the potential opportunities for ship owners and operators and identifies the most promising technologies that could reduce fuel consumption economically. It states that a 30% fleet fuel consumption reduction can be achieved by using a combination of innovative technologies with an economic payback of around two years.
An earlier project in the ETI’s Heavy Duty Vehicle Marine programme undertaken with Rolls-Royce and UCL produced a validated, full-scale shipping model that focused on vessels involved in the UK fleet activity. This model is central to understanding ship trading, technology and the potential for emissions reductions and improvements in fuel consumption.
However, because introducing new technology is challenging, costly and risky, it needs to be demonstrated to give investors and the diverse range of stakeholders in the shipping industry confidence. The ETI is pursuing a series of at sea demonstration of new technologies over the next three years.
Stuart Bradley, ETI Strategy Manager and the report’s author said: “Shipping emits significant amounts of CO2 which, without significant intervention, will rise as a proportion of our national emissions as we become less carbon dependent in other industry sectors.
“Unlike the power and heat sectors and other forms of transport there does not seem to be a credible alternative to fossil fuels to power vessels, so in the medium to long term, the best potential to achieve substantial CO2 reductions is by reducing fuel consumption.
“Our work to date has shown that using innovative technologies could reduce fuel consumption by up to 30% with an economic payback period of around two years but the technology needs to be demonstrated to give confidence to stakeholders and overcome market barriers.
“This is why we are working towards demonstrating advancements in flettner rotors, high efficiency propulsion systems and waste heat recovery systems and further details on these individual projects will be announced shortly.”
A Dft spokesperson said: “We are determined to reduce emissions across all modes of transport, including shipping.
“Our priority is to help the maritime sector introduce cost-efficient technology that will reduce its environmental impact.
“We are focused on the development of an ambitious global strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the International Maritime Organization. They are also building a global database on fuel consumption.”
Richard Burden, Shadow Shipping Minister said:
“The Paris Agreement makes it impossible for any country or any sector to say climate change isn’t their problem. It has created unprecedented momentum for all sectors in all countries to take action and be part of the solution.
“The steps taken by the aviation sector in the UK who have charted a pathway to grow sustainably while cutting emissions shows how cooperation between national governments and transport sectors can work together in common cause.
“In recent years the shipping sector have made positive steps with improving monitoring and promoting some energy efficiency measures, but the UK Government as well International Maritime Organization must be doing more to lead, starting with defining shipping’s ‘fair share’ of tackling climate change, and developing an emissions reduction plan for the sector.”
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