How does a vital global industry reliant on high-emissions diesel fuel find ways to reduce its emissions? As Canada, and other global markets, push towards a net zero future, the marine transportation industry faces a significant challenge in finding alternatives to its fossil fuel ways.
“Marine transportation can be seen as a contaminating industry, with several parts of the overall supply chain relying on fossil fuels to move goods from one location to the next,” says Martijn van den Berk, Vice President - Marine, Ports & Coastal (Canada) for WSP in Canada. However, the industry is making an effort to green its operation.”
For the marine industry, the real effort essentially began with the introduction of IMO 2020, which “limits the sulphur in the fuel oil used on board ships operating outside designated emission control areas to 0.50% m/m (mass by mass) - a significant reduction from the previous limit of 3.5%.” According to the International Maritime Organization, the sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions target of 0.5% would result in an approximate savings of 8.5 million metric tonnes of SOx emissions.
According to Van den Berk, the industry faced three options to reach the target: start using different fuel types such as low-sulphur diesel, the complete conversion of vessels to alternative fuels like liquified natural gas (LNG), or the quickest solution, introduce scrubbers on the vessels to clean the exhaust. Most chose the latter, creating a short-term emissions reduction. And while it has not resulted in the full IMO target being met, it has created a significant emissions reduction.
But the scrubbers’ affordability wasn’t the only reason for ship owners to move in that direction.
“One of the challenges with switching large vessels to alternative fuels like LNG is the lack of bunkering facilities,” said Van den Berk. “We are however seeing some ports around the globe slowly introducing this infrastructure, which is another positive sign for reducing emissions in the industry.”
There is also a new and rather innovative solution being proposed for reducing large vessel emissions, one rooted in shipping’s vast history: the use of sails. Used in combination with a fueled-engine system, a few companies around the world are experimenting with the introduction of massive sails to harness wind energy while making treks across vast waterways. And while the technology is still in its early stages, it could go a long way in long-term emissions reductions in the industry.
Challenges Ahead
While progress is being made, and emissions are being reduced, the industry faces a few key challenges. First, the cost of new technologies, such as the infrastructure needed for alternative fuel facilities and vessel retrofits for these new fuels, are costly. As technologies evolve these costs could decrease, but right now, some will remain difficult to adopt without further regulation enforcing the change or government funding driving them forward.
There is also the issue of varying standards from country to country or port to port. Depending on the flag the vessel flies, and the country and/or port the ship is destined for, regulations for emissions can vary with little to no opportunity for enforcement.
However, in Canada, ports continue to look for new ways to assess and reduce their carbon footprint. Greening of the logistics process, such as rail systems and port operations, are making progress. And with heavy equipment and transport trucks continuing to adopt green emissions technologies, emissions reductions in the movement of goods beyond the port will continue to be realized. Ports are also doing assessments of their operations and are looking at how ‘green’ the overall supply chain is for goods moving through their ports, as is being conducted currently by the Port of Prince Rupert, looking for even more ways to green their business.
The marine transportation industry will be difficult to get to net zero, but as greener fuels emerge, and the logistics process reduces its emissions, there is momentum growing for a positive environmental future.
For more information on how WSP Canada can support your marine operation, visit our industry services page or reach out directly to Martijn van den Berk.
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