Decarbonization of the marine sector

Abstract

The marine sector is a crucial part to the global economy, it is considered the backbone of global trade and commerce. This industry is responsible for the transportation of products, goods, and people by sea. The marine sector is also composed of navies that patrol the oceans to defend their country. Transportation by water dates to 1787 when John Fitch invented the first steamboat; this technology was later revolutionized by Robert Fulton in 1807 when The Clermont was built to transport passengers and cargo between New Orleans, Luisiana, and Natchez Mississippi. In today’s era, 90% of the world trade is carried across the world’s oceans by more than 90,000 marine vessels. These cargo vessels as well as most military vessels use fossil fuels as their source of energy for propulsion and onboard needs. Just like automobiles, the marine sector also pollutes the air with carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, and particular matter. These pollutants contribute to climate change, acid rain, and health issues to humanity and wildlife. To ensure a better sustainable future for our planet and its habitats, the United Nations (UN) has committed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Organizations like MARPOL, who is the main international convention aimed to control pollution from marine vessels, have created regulations since 1983 that monitor the pollution by oil, sewage, garbage and air pollution from ships. Another important organization to marine transportation is the International Maritime Organization (IMO), who in 2020 passed a new emission standard to drop the allowed 3.5% sulphur emissions in marine fuels to 0.5% at a global scale. Another alternative that can benefit the marine sector to reach net-zero emissions is the transition to renewable energy like hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, wind and solar power. Generating electricity by solar or wind on oceans stations is also gaining traction and could facilitate the swap of batteries or charging ships at these stations while on voyage.