The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in India aims to boost the maritime sector with projects worth ₹2 trillion. By 2025, 150 projects will be completed to make India a top 5 shipbuilding nation by 2047. Green initiatives, infrastructure development, and innovation programs are key priorities to enhance sustainability and efficiency in the industry.
ABL, in partnership with the University of Strathclyde and the University of Plymouth, has developed decision-making software for decarbonization in the maritime industry. This tool aids stakeholders in navigating policy complexities and technological uncertainties, supporting the development of decarbonization roadmaps and investment pathways. The project aims to advance sustainable practices.
Two agreements were signed at the Singapore Norway Innovation Conference (SNIC) to advance sustainable maritime solutions. The first agreement aims to develop a fully electric high-speed harbor craft for Singapore’s maritime landscape. The second agreement focuses on marine electrification in Asia. Both agreements support Singapore’s efforts to decarbonize its maritime industry.
Lloyd’s Register, MSC, SDARI, and MAN-ES have teamed up with LISCR to improve the design of an ammonia dual-fuel 8200 TEU container ship. This collaboration aims to ensure safety compliance and develop technical specifications for the ammonia variant of SDARI’s design. The partnership represents a significant move towards sustainable maritime solutions.
Lloyd’s Register is collaborating with ROTOBOOST and Amogy to evaluate fuel cell and CCS technologies in the maritime industry. The study will assess technical readiness, financial viability, and regulatory aspects to reduce emissions. Key elements include hydrogen fuel cells and ammonia-to-power systems. This project aims to advance alternative propulsion methods to meet new carbon market and regulatory requirements.
During the 8th edition of the Maritime Forecast to 2050 Webinar, DNV Maritime CEO, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, expressed concerns about the slow progress of maritime decarbonization. He highlighted the challenges posed by the reliance on conventional fuels and the obstacles hindering further decarbonization efforts, such as high production costs and limited infrastructure. Despite these challenges, Ørbeck-Nilssen suggested measures that operators can take to reduce emissions.
The NEN 7427-1 standard by the Royal Netherlands Standardization Institute addresses the need for biofuel specifications in maritime shipping. Developed with input from industry stakeholders, it sets quality requirements for FAME and M-FAME blends with marine fuels. This standard aims to support emission reduction goals and may eventually be integrated into international standards like ISO 8217 for consistent biofuel use in the maritime industry.
Representatives from five Maritime Technologies Cooperation Centres (MTCCs) met at the IMO to formalize a memorandum of understanding for inter-MTCC cooperation. Dr. Jose Matheickal highlighted the importance of collaboration in bridging knowledge gaps between regions. The MTCCs focus on technical cooperation, capacity building, and technology transfer to promote decarbonization technologies in maritime sectors worldwide.
On March 6, HD Hyundai Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HSOE) announced the formation of the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization (NEMO) in partnership with global nuclear energy entities. NEMO aims to establish standards for floating nuclear power, bridging the gap between nuclear and maritime regulations, and educating stakeholders on the benefits of decarbonization through nuclear energy.
During DNV’s Maritime Energy Transition Summit 2024, CEO Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen discussed the challenges of adopting alternative fuels in the shipping industry. He emphasized the need for stakeholders to take action to promote a greener future and highlighted the potential of biofuels and energy efficiency technologies. Digitalization and the safety of seafarers were also highlighted as crucial factors in the industry’s decarbonization efforts.
The first part of a study on the safety aspect of bunkering with biofuels has been published by EMSA. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of a pre-selection of biofuels in terms of safety aspects like flashpoint, toxicity, and cold-flow properties, among others.
