Page 142 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

OPINIONS ON GREEN SHIPPING

Antonios Trakakis is of the opinion that improving the energy efficiency of ships is the
right first step to reducing their carbon footprint.

THE BEST COURSE

OF ACTION

IS TO PRIORITISE

FLEXIBILITY

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 speed at which the industry’s decar-
bonisation will be achieved?
The major issue with the market’s approach to
decarbonisation is that the challenge has been
presented incorrectly. It is no surprise that pru-
dent shipowners are finding it impossible to com-
mit to any specific solution today simply because
everything is still under development.
Unlike the prescriptive regulations that have gov-
erned shipping for many years, there is no single
path to meeting the IMO 2050 targets. However,
the regulation’s intent is clear: to immediately
embark on a progressive reduction of GHG emis-
sions.
Modern newbuild vessels with a “standard”
design, even those running on conventional liquid
fuel oil, can contribute to an immediate reduction
in emissions. For existing ships, there are also
various technologies available that can reduce
emissions and keep them in compliance for sev-
eral more years.
Therefore, there is no urgent need to make defin-
by Antonios Trakakis, itive fuel or technology choices today, and the
Energy Transition Solutions pace of the industry’s decarbonisation is unlikely
Technical Director at RINA
to be significantly hindered in the short term.

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