Reaching the IMO’s 2030 decarbonisation goal of 20% emission reductions will not happen without significant energy savings before carbon-neutral fuels become viable, according to DNV’s latest Maritime Forecast to 2050 report, with the class society calling for priority to be given to the development and use of technologies that reduce energy consumption.
To reach the 2030 goals shipping will need between 7 and 48 Mtoe of carbon-neutral fuels. However, with the global cross-sector production of carbon-neutral fuels expected to reach only between 44 and 63 Mtoe by 2030, it will be near impossible for shipping to secure its required share.
As regulations like the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime start to impose costs on emissions, shipowners and managers must therefore explore every option to reduce fuel consumption, DNV says.
“While we are currently witnessing a slowdown of decarbonisation in shipping, we are entering an era of unprecedented technological exploration that will drive progress forward,” notes Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, DNV Maritime CEO.
“With carbon-neutral fuels in short supply, smart decision-making and strategic investments today are crucial to lay the foundations for future emissions reductions. Prioritising energy efficiency, leveraging technological solutions, and embracing digitalisation are key steps towards reducing the extra cost burden and achieving our decarbonisation goals.”
The report encourages maritime companies to engage more closely with crew in rolling out new digital tools, with transparency of vessel performance data also acting as a motivating factor amongst seafarers to reduce fuel consumption and emissions when the related cost is benchmarked on a regular basis.
The publication suggests that, when a vessel’s crew are engaged with and motivated by the issue of decarbonisation, they are more likely to proactively implement operational measures to reduce vessel emissions on an ongoing basis, pointing to recent studies indicating that awareness and incentives for the crew can unlock up to 10% of energy savings.
