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Like the automotive and aviation industries, the maritime sector is also seeking ways to evolve in order to reduce its impact on the environment. To succeed in this transformation, the sector will have to change its infrastructure and adopt cleaner energies.
Like the automotive and aviation industries, the maritime sector is also seeking ways to evolve in order to reduce its impact on the environment. To succeed in this transformation, the sector will have to change its infrastructure and adopt cleaner energies.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Review of Maritime Transport 2022 shows that between 2020 and 2021, total carbon emissions from the world's maritime fleet increased by 4.7%, with this increase coming mainly from container ships and other general cargo vessels. Given the aging nature of this fleet, with an average age of over 20 years, and its impact on the climate, it is high time to take action. According to the UNCTAD report, more investment in infrastructure and sustainability will be needed to overcome future energy supply crises and climate challenges.
UNCTAD is therefore calling for more investment to switch to alternative fuels that emit less or no CO2 into the atmosphere. The idea is already to be able to use electricity sources in ports, and to equip ships with sufficiently powerful and long-lasting batteries so that they can sail distances comparable to those they cover today. In general, ports will have to adapt to energy transitions, not just for ships, in order to decarbonize their entire operations. Ideally, it would also be possible to reduce ship speeds and increase the use of sails, which is not currently on the agenda at all.
Unfortunately, there are many obstacles to such investments, starting with a highly unfavorable international economic climate. In addition, to implement all these measures, legislation and an international regulatory framework would be needed, specifically to promote the decarbonization of the sector.
Today, ships carry more than 80% of the goods traded in the world. It should also be noted that maritime transport -- all activities combined -- is responsible for approximately 2.9% of all CO2 emissions in the world, according to a study published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2020. The problem obviously extends to maritime tourism too. And, for the first time, a cruise ship called the MSC World Europa has been fitted with a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) on board as a pilot project for producing on-board electricity.
