The shipping industry is poised for a transformative shift towards decarbonisation, as innovative technologies emerge to tackle the challenge of air emissions. Industry leaders are advocating for a collaborative approach to create ecosystems and green shipping lanes that will facilitate the reduction of emissions and drive the sector towards achieving absolute zero emissions by 2050.
At the forefront of this movement is Madadh MacLaine, the founder and secretary general of the Association of Zero Emissions Ship Technology. Speaking at Riviera’s Maritime Hybrid, Electric & Hydrogen Fuel Cell Conference held in Bergen, Norway, Ms MacLaine emphasised the critical role that technology will play in meeting emissions targets. She outlined various approaches to achieving this ambition, including the integration of wind power, hydrogen fuel cells, and advanced battery systems.
"The ecosystem to get to zero emissions needs all stakeholders moving in the same direction," Ms MacLaine noted during her interview at the conference. This call for unity reflects the necessity for ship owners, charterers, technology providers, and fuel and energy generators to align their efforts to effectively reach decarbonisation goals.
To further support the shift towards zero-emissions shipping, Ms MacLaine highlighted that up to ten bunkering points will be required in the Baltic region. These facilities will aid in the logistics of zero-emissions short-sea shipping, with various ship owners already committing to the target using different types of vessels.
As the industry aims for significant advancements in sustainability, collaborative forums and partnerships for implementing these emerging technologies and investments will become crucial in 2025 and beyond. The discussion at the conference signifies an important step towards realising a greener future for marine transport, where innovative solutions will be essential to counteract the environmental impact of shipping.
Source: Noah Wire Services