Recent studies identify shipping as responsible for 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while 90% of traded goods travel by ocean. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a decarbonization target of reducing the industry’s annual GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2050. At a panel on decarbonization held at the 10th World Ocean Summit, participants identified a number of emission reduction alternatives for the shipping community, but that such efforts remain “fragmented,” requiring new market and regulatory drivers to move forward. In the absence of clear, harmonized regulation, joint work between ports, shipping lines, shipping representatives and other key maritime industries can help unify, synthesize and ultimately accelerate the decarbonization of shipping. From greener fuels to smart data that can foster energy efficiency in ports and their facilities, the technology is available to decarbonize the maritime sector. Zero-emission ships could help mobilize the process, especially if they are designed to run on traditional fuels while being able to switch to alternative green fuels when needed. Shipowners comment that they are building Zero-Carbon Emissions ships with better technology, even if the energy transition never happens. Carbon Emissions with better technology, even if the energy transition never happens. These are able to go green at the pace that customers, regulations and the market allow. In addition, it is indicated that these initiatives have secured capital and financing. The implementation of Zero-Carbon Emissions technologies in ports, where there are multiple energy-intensive activities, is another edge of decarbonization of shipping, particularly for companies concerned about their Scope 3 emissions. Port authorities present at the event indicate that they remain vigilant in terms of adapting to the interests of their customers, many of whom continue to operate with traditional fuels. They are aware of all the advances, but indicate that the problem is how to get to that technology and how it takes hold in the business. They indicate that the most difficult thing is to involve all the players in the transport chain to participate in the initiatives. Collaboration across the maritime value chain can help unify disjointed decarbonization efforts. Collaboration is particularly crucial for large multinational companies that rely on shipping, as many do not own their own ships or ports. The multinational company IKEA, for example, has ambitious decarbonization goals with specific targets for transportation, including shipping. They point out that “There is a lot of collaboration to deepen, and we are willing to be part of this collaboration to co-create the solutions and share the investments needed to make this transformation. Right now we are using the network we have, but transparency and visibility into the efficiency of the different ports and, of course, the shipping lines that provide this data are important. Those are Scope 3 emissions, and we need to reduce them dramatically. We all need to work together to ensure visibility and transparency of logistics performance.” All the panelists seem to yearn for some kind of regulatory pathway that could drive the decarbonization of shipping well before 2050. The conclusions point to identifying actors to drive strong leadership, where IMO and the EU commit to coordinate efforts to make 2030 a reasonable date to decarbonize a substantial amount of shipping. The industry is aware that it must move towards decarbonization as a matter of urgency, even without having clear regulation to drive them for now. One proposal aims to implement carbon taxes combined with contracts for difference, which could easily bring green fuels to market at an accelerated pace. At Trans-Port 2023 the keynote talk “NET ZERO in Maritime and Logistics ecosystem” will delve into a series of technological, regulatory and collaborative recommendations for shipping companies, port authorities, maritime terminals, logistics operators and multinationals in foreign trade.
