Page 120 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

OPINIONS ON GREEN SHIPPING

Εvangelos Sfakiotakis emphasises that the adoption of technological solutions is essential
for the shipping industry to meet strict decarbonisation targets and acknowledges the
pivotal role of AI applications in shaping future maritime operations.

AI WILL SERVE

AS A PILLAR FOR

THE NEXT GENERATION

OF VESSELS

35% (almost one in three) of the survey participants would
invest in neither CO2 capture systems nor in LNG, methanol or
ammonia engines to improve the energy efficiency of a newly
built ship. Does this finding raise concerns about the pace of
the industry’s decarbonisation?
Not necessarily. Operational or marginal technical mea-
sures could keep the older vessels on track with the decar-
bonisation trajectory for the short term, before they even-
tually become obsolete.
Renewing or converting the existing fleet by investing in
green technologies and alternate fuels is indeed a hard
decision to make, since mature legislation, concrete oper-
ational procedures, availability at scale, as well as viable
commercial terms have yet to be ensured.
However, it is a positive sign that the remaining 65% of
the participants are ambitious and willing to act as “first
movers”. An avalanche effect should be expected when
the necessary collaborations across industry stakehold-
ers are strengthened and the required financial tools and
subsidies become widely available, accelerating the tran-
sition’s pace.

According to the participants’ responses, implementing multi-
ple technological solutions is viewed as the most effective way
to reduce a ship’s carbon footprint. Is the shipping industry
nearing a tipping point where substantial benefits from the
implementation of technological solutions will be witnessed?
Optimising vessel design to meet the needs of each era
was and still is a never-ending process. The improvement
in the efficiency of vessels over the years is evident, but
what is now anticipated is the adoption of various techno-
logical solutions that will allow shipping to meet the strict
by Evangelos Sfakiotakis, decarbonisation targets. The anticipated installation of a
Chief Operating Officer wide range of “peripheral equipment” on board for man-
at Diana Shipping Services S.A.
aging emissions or handling alternative fuels will result

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