Revolutionizing Marine Shipping (Part 5)

 

Marine Shipping is undergoing a major transformation as it seeks to decarbonize. Will wind power be part of the solution?

Continuing where we left off previously …

How is Innovation Affecting Shipping and GHG Reduction?

While regulation sets an important framework for meeting anti-pollution and GHG reduction objectives, many shipowners argue that innovation will come from the industry itself as it seeks to lower costs and develop a comparative advantage over its competitors. For example, Maersk is the world’s largest consumer of fuel after the US military. They, and others, are driven by the desire to cut fuel costs and to embrace greener propulsion as socially responsible organizations. Greater public awareness and pressure to reduce emissions and air pollution provide an important incentive as these companies manage their corporate reputations with investors and consumers. Wind power is still very much in its infancy but may play an important role in the future especially if combined with other forms of cleaner energy.

Efforts to reduce emissions from ships – including stricter regulations about marine fuels’ allowable level of sulphur – are curbing the use of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the marine shipping industry.

HFO and Sulphur Content

Unlike other fuels, HFO is thick and has to be warmed up to flow freely for use in the ship’s engines. And unfortunately, the leftovers that form HFO have many impurities, including sulphur. The sulphur in the fuel helps to lubricate the engine, but once burned, it becomes air pollution – sulphur oxide or SOx – one of the contaminants resulting from incomplete combustion. Although not the only source, shipping is estimated to contribute 13% of the world’s total sulphur oxide emissions. These air pollutants from ships can cause serious health and ecological harm.

The IMO is working with the marine shipping industry to implement measures to reduce sulphur oxide pollution. The most far-reaching measure to date is the IMO 2020 regulation, which limits the sulphur content of marine fuel to 0.5% by mass since January 2020.

With such rapid progressions & advancements in the ever-changing field of technological innovations, Westline Shipping has introduced several revolutionary changes in maritime shipping, which also envelope the faculty of Careers in Merchant Navy, adhered to many new introductions in training for Merchant Navy!