REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

The maritime industry plays a significant role in the trade of goods worldwide. According to statistical data, about 80% of world trade by volume and over 70% by value is transported by sea. This highlights the key importance of the maritime industry as the backbone of international trade, but also contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Challenges in reducing emissions stem from the industry's heavy reliance on fossil fuels, especially heavy fuel oil, which emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants. This research provides an overview of International Maritime Organization (IMO) Greenhouse Gas (GHG) regulations, which play a crucial role in reducing emissions, and their implications for the design and operation of cargo ships. The IMO has initiated a policy to decarbonize ships by introducing energy efficiency regulations, with short-term goals that progressively strengthen requirements. The IMO has also announced ambitious medium and long-term targets, which aim to reduce CO2 emissions from transport for a 40% by 2030 and a 70% reduction by 2050 compared to 2008 levels. To achieve these goals, the maritime industry implemented operational and technical measures. Operational measures, such as slow steaming, resulted in a significant reduction in power. Technical measures have also been implemented, including energy-saving devices and the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel. However, these measures alone are not sufficient to achieve significant emission reductions. Therefore, the future is the application of alternative fuels for propulsion purposes, capable of reducing GHG emissions by up to 100%. However, these technologies are still under development, expensive, and face safety and scalability challenges. The findings contribute to the understanding of the implications of the IMO GHG regulations on the design and operation of cargo ships and highlights the need for alternative fuels to achieve significant emission reductions, advising the future direction of the industry towards sustainable and environmentally responsible shipping practices.