How much carbon the shipping industry emits every year? What measures are being taken to reduce carbon emissions in the shipping industry?
The shipping industry emits around 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, which is about 2-3% of global emissions. To reduce carbon emissions, the industry is focusing on:
- Energy efficiency: Implementing technologies and operational measures to improve fuel efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.
- Alternative fuels: Adopting biofuels, hydrogen, and ammonia as cleaner alternatives to conventional fossil fuels.
- Electrification: Developing hybrid and fully electric ships for shorter distances and coastal shipping routes.
- Sails and wind-assist technologies: Harnessing wind power to reduce fuel consumption and emissions through sails, rotors, and kites.
- Speed reduction: Slowing down ships to reduce fuel consumption and corresponding emissions.
- International regulations: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a goal to reduce the industry’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels.
I think the last two points are currently very important
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The European Commission has strategies related to this issue. The strategy consists of 3 consecutive steps:
- Monitoring, reporting and verification of CO2 emissions from large ships using EU ports
- Greenhouse gas reduction targets for the maritime transport sector
- Further measures, including market-based measures, in the medium to long term.
Shipping industry is responsible for 3% of global carbon emissions - How the shipping industry is now sailing towards net-zero | World Economic Forum
One way that I heard recently is Just-in-time arrival concept. Vessels often sails to port to reach asap, however, they generally wait due to congestion. If they reduce their speed to reach just-in-time that would lead to less fuel usage; hence, less emissions