Page 146 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

OPINIONS ON GREEN SHIPPING

As the maritime industry embarks on a significant transition toward sustainability,
decarbonisation has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges. With the International
Maritime Organisation (IMO) setting a target for full decarbonisation by 2050 and the
European Union (EU) aiming for a 70% emissions reduction by 2040, the road ahead is
complex and demanding.

NAVIGATING THE MARITIME

INDUSTRY’S TRANSITION

TO SUSTAINABLE

PRACTICES: A FOCUS ON

DECARBONISATION

Decarbonisation challenges
One of the major obstacles to achieving maritime decarbonisation
lies in the uncertainty surrounding alternative fuels. Although
fuels with a reduced carbon footprint, such as green ammonia
and green methanol, offer promise, their large-scale adoption is
hindered by limited supply, high costs, and safety concerns. Cur-
rently, 93% of the global fleet still runs on fossil fuels, emphasis-
ing the scale of the challenge. This year’s DNV Maritime Forecast
to 2050 has shown that 44 to 63 million tonnes of oil equivalent
(Mtoe) of carbon-neutral fuels will be available by 2030 for all
economic sectors and that shipping will need 10% to 100% of
that to reach IMO targets. The broad range highlights the crucial
difference between actively pursuing complementary measures—
such as energy efficiency, carbon capture, and wind-assisted
propulsion—and relying solely on the future availability of alter-
native fuels.
Achieving the decarbonisation goals will require significant invest-
ment in fuel production infrastructure, retrofitting existing ves-
sels, and constructing new ships equipped for alternative fuels.

The role of regulation and political support
The regulatory landscape supports this shift, as most current
regulations (ETS, FuelEU) and upcoming ones (IMO GHG Fuel
Intensity Standard or a potential levy) are interlinked with financial
penalties, with the collected funds intended for investment in new
by Lefteris Koukoulopoulos fuels and advanced technologies for vessels. However, for the
Regional Decarbonisation Specialist time being, the lack of global uniformity in regulations and policies
at DNV Maritime
can slow progress, but the collective effort of stakeholders can
help overcome these hurdles.

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