It is clear that, as a planet, we need to cut greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
However, the IMO’s target of reducing shipping’s CO2 emissions by 2050 by at least 50% is a challenge. There are plenty of new ideas on the horizon, but the way towards net zero is not yet clear. That is why we cannot ‘cherry pick’ ideas but need to follow multiple paths to find the best options. Spyridon Zolotas, Senior Director Marine Southern Europe & Africa Area Business Development at RINA, talks about the strategy the leading class society is following to help the maritime industry meet IMO 2050.
Cutting carbon emissions by 50% and, ultimately, creating a net zero emissions shipping industry is not something that can be achieved in isolation. It requires all stakeholders from across the shipping sector to work together and find practical, doable, economically viable solutions. This is why we set up four global decarbonization committees, the first of which was the Hellenic Decarbonization Committee (HDC). These forums are aimed at bringing leaders in the industry together to discuss the way forward and share ideas for decarbonization. Stakeholders from different sectors and many principal ship owners share experiences and explore practical solutions to address the decarbonization challenge. The committees discuss technology, zero and low-carbon alternative fuels and green financing, which is becoming an increasingly important topic.
The battle for decarbonization needs to be carried out on multiple fronts. Alternative low and zero carbon fuels, operational measures to reduce the quantity of fuel needed on board, technological improvements to increase fleet efficiency and additional operational measures to reduce fuel consumption, will all play a part. We must tackle decarbonization with a combination of steps, incorporating digital tools to optimize fleet performance and create smarter operations. Our own Optimum software allows the Owners to live monitor their ships’ performances and efficiency; the AI engine can highlight any possible optimization in terms of thermodynamic efficiency, hydrodynamic efficiency, and routing efficiency. Geofencing and a completely configurable alerts system allow the ship man- ager to continuously support the crew in their daily operations.
Infrastructure also needs to be considered. While hydrogen offers a very promising ‘new energy’, there is not currently the global infrastructure to support its bunkering. The gas is difficult to store and transport but advances are being made in ways to solve these challenges. The use of liquid fuels such as ammonia, methanol and Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC), which absorb and release hydrogen as required, are easier to handle and ship.
Of course, GHG emissions are not an exclusive problem for the shipping industry and, as we research solutions in other sectors, such as heavy industry and power generation and distribution, we must look at new technologies that are being developed and any opportunity where technology transfer could be applied to solve the challenges of the shipping industry. Because of this, RINA is involved in many projects and award-winning research activities for the reduction of GHG emissions.
RINA has a unique position through its diverse business units to bring its experience from other sectors, including transportation, energy distribution, and steel. The technology solutions that will allow the shipping industry to decarbonise will come from onshore. As a class society and engineering services provider we work across multiple sectors beyond marine. For example, we are working to support the green transformation in Kazakhstan, which will be carried out across the food & beverage, transport manufacturing, chemical and metallurgy industries. RINA is in a fortunate position to have its ‘finger on the pulse’ of many research projects and is constantly looking at how these can be applied to shipping.
Alternative zero carbon fuels, operational measures to reduce the quantity of fuel needed on board, technological improvements to increase fleet efficiency based on data from monitoring fleets and additional operational measures to reduce fuel consumption all play their part, but we cannot just rely on idealistic ideas that will not deliver reduction of emissions in the short and medium term. Decarbonization needs to achievable and financially viable for the industry. It is also important to recognise the efforts to make ships greener. Class societies can support this with additional class notations, such as RINA’s Green Plus, which evaluate the degree of environmental friendliness of ships.
A journey, not a single step
While net zero is the ultimate goal, we do not have time to waste and also need solutions that can also reduce carbon emissions to- day, using current technology and supporting infrastructure. An interesting example is a project we’re working on to deliver a hydrogen ship, which uses currently viable technology and fuels and achieves IMO 2050 Targets. It uses gas reformer technology onboard the ship to split LNG molecules into hydrogen and CO2 and can use increasing amounts of hydrogen to fuel internal combustion engines and fuel cells. This exciting technology can be used on a wide range of vessel types and sizes. The technology required, which is readily available today, can be added step by step, making this a practical and financially viable concept for ship owners. In an increasingly connected and digitalized world, digital tools are another valuable weapon in reducing GHG emissions and these can be applied today. By monitoring whole fleets and analysing performance data, we are finding ways to increase operational efficiency, optimize fuel usage, and, consequently, reduce emissions. By continually collecting data from automation and other systems (such as scrubbers, BWS) of ships, and then contextualizing, enriching and analysing these using machine learning and prediction tools, onshore control centres
can be provided with deeper insights into vessel performance and gain valuable, actionable intelligence about a ship’s hydrodynamic response and engine efficiency.
In the long term, we need to find ways around the barriers to zero carbon fuels. This will require collaboration, investment, regulation and incentives. New fuels, many of which are not currently produced on a scale that can serve the shipping industry, need to be made viable and price competitive to promote a greener economy. This will necessitate support from governments in the form schemes such as emissions trading and levies on heavy fossil fuels, which will help finance the research and development of green solutions in the longer term.
For RINA, sustainability is one of our key strategic pillars. What does this mean? Internally we are continually working to find more sustainable ways to approach our business. Externally, we will keep working with research partners, technology providers, regulators, finance organisations and all stakeholders to provide solutions and develop innovative services that will keep the shipping industry moving towards IMO 2050.
Summary
What will a future, zero carbon ship look like? As of today, we cannot be sure, but we need to explore all opportunities available to us find the best solutions. Innovation inevitably means some failures, but we learn from these and the help us move forward. Is IMO 2050 achievable? Yes, but together we are stronger, and it is together
we will succeed. We need to keep talking, keep sharing ideas, and embrace all possibilities. For any decarbonization project, however, priorities must include practicality and economic viability.
We also need to take what steps we can today to reduce emissions, while exploring the options for the future. Digital tools are available today and are proven to have a real impact on ship performance and efficiency.
* Director Marine Southern Europe & Africa Area Business Development at RINA