Posted: February 9th, 2023

CO2 Emissions and Fuel Alternatives in Shipping

CO2 Emissions and Fuel Alternatives in Shipping
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the shipping industry have been identified as a significant contributor to climate change, as the sector contributes to about 2-3% of global CO2 emissions. The primary source of these emissions is from the burning of fossil fuels such as heavy fuel oil and marine diesel oil. However, there are several alternative fuels and technologies that have been developed to reduce CO2 emissions from the shipping industry.
One alternative fuel that has been widely discussed as a potential solution for reducing CO2 emissions from the shipping industry is liquified natural gas (LNG). LNG is a cleaner burning fossil fuel that can significantly reduce emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter. LNG-powered ships emit 20-25% less CO2 than traditional ships, and many shipbuilders and shipping companies are starting to build or retrofit ships to run on LNG.
Another alternative fuel is biofuels, which are derived from organic matter such as vegetable oils, animal fats, and algae. Biofuels can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional fossil fuels, as they only emit the carbon that was recently absorbed by the plants used to make the biofuels. Some biofuels are already in commercial use in the shipping industry, and research is ongoing to develop new biofuels and ways to use them in ships.
Another promising alternative is hydrogen fuel cells, which generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and produces only water vapor as a byproduct. The application of hydrogen fuel cells in ships is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions to zero if hydrogen is produced from renewable energy sources.
In addition to alternative fuels, there are also several technologies and operational measures that have been developed to reduce CO2 emissions from ships. For example, ships can slow down to reduce fuel consumption, which is known