Massive R&D Needed to Decarbonize Deep-Sea Shipping beyond 2050

by Chris Gillis (American Shipper/Freight Waves) Oceangoing vessels challenge scale of newly introduced carbon-free power technologies for short-sea shipping and ferries, World Shipping Council CEO John Butler tells U.S. lawmakers. -- ... Maersk (OTCMKTS: AMKBY) is currently testing a 40-foot container-size battery on board one of its container ships, Lee Kindberg, the carrier’s North American head of environment and sustainability, told the House subcommittee.

Kindberg said the battery will not provide power for ship propulsion but will be tested for potential onboard power uses, such as shipboard lighting, electric pumps and refrigerated containers.

However, she said Maersk has committed to “net-zero carbon emissions” for its worldwide operations by 2050 and is currently retrofitting vessels with new technologies and testing “carbon-neutral” biofuels, such as those made from cooking oil and an ethanol made from the byproducts of agriculture, paper and wood products manufacturing.

Butler told the House subcommittee members that it is possible for the ocean shipping industry to achieve the IMO’s 2030 goal.

“A highly competitive liner shipping market, fuel price increases associated with the IMO 2020 marine fuel sulfur cap regulation and increasing societal and customer requirements to reduce emissions provide vessel operators with powerful incentives to make their operations as efficient as possible,” he said in his testimony.

However, to achieve the organization’s 2050 goal and beyond will require a substantial, globally funded and driven research and development effort, Butler said.

On Nov. 18, the World Shipping Council and seven other shipping organizations proposed that the 174-member IMO establish a $5 billion to $6 billion research and development effort over the next 10 to 12 years to identify fuels and related technologies to aggressively achieve the IMO’s decarbonization goals for the global ocean shipping industry. The International Maritime Research and Development Board (IMRB) would be funded by a mandatory contribution based on each ton of fuel burned, Butler said.

“Because oceangoing vessels are long-lived assets (20-25 years), we must move as quickly as possible to develop and deploy low-carbon and zero-carbon propulsion systems and fuels to avoid stranded assets and delays in implementing next-generation technologies,” he said. READ MORE

Mr. Joshua Berger, Governor's Maritime Sector Lead, State of Washington, Testimony

Mr. John Butler, President and Chief Executive Officer, World Shipping Council, Testimony

Dr. Lee Kindberg, Director, Environment & Sustainability, Maersk Line/Maersk Agency USA, Testimony

Mr. Peter Bryn, Technical Solutions Manager, North America, ABB Marine & Ports, Testimony

Ms. Kathy Metcalf, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Shipping of America, Testimony

Massive R&D Needed to Decarbonize Deep-Sea Shipping beyond 2050

More than 50,000 articles in our online library!

Advanced Biofuels USA Policy Statements and Handouts!

Our Sponsors

FREE Subscription! Advanced Biofuels USA events calendar; policy and actions; education newsletters

Donate

ARCHIVES

CATEGORIES

tags