ABS publishes Low Carbon Shipping Outlook

A Low Carbon Shipping Outlook just published by ABS aims to help the maritime sector evaluate potential pathways to a low-carbon future.

“Despite all the noise and confusion about IMO 2020, the disruption from the global sulfur cap is likely to be dwarfed by what comes after it,” says ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. “The greatest challenge of our generation – and the next – will be the decarbonization of the shipping industry,”

He says the Outlook has been published “to inform the shipping industry as it journeys into the unknown waters of the 2030/2050 emissions challenge” and “is designed to help bring into focus the numerous issues surrounding the decarbonization movement as it evolves from today’s ambitions to tomorrow’s reality.”

The Outlook defines ship technologies, operational efficiencies and alternative fuels and energy sources needed to reach 2030 and 2050 targets, noting specifically:

• 2030 targets can be met through operational measures and efficiencies driven by connectivity and data analytics and energy efficient designs.
• Fuels are in focus to get to 2050. The conceptual designs confirm that the fuel technology today does not meet the 2050 demands.
• To fully understand what it will take to adopt alternative fuels globally, we can look at progress with LNG as fuel. It has taken 10 years for LNG bunkering infrastructure to develop and supply less than 1% of the global fleet. Other alternative fuels will face similar infrastructure development, regulatory and supply chain challenges.

To assess the potential of the main operational options available to shipping, ABS commissioned a study from Maritime Strategies International (MSI) to analyze the potential impact on the industry’s carbon footprint. ABS also worked with the Herbert Engineering Corporation to specify design requirements for two concept containerships which, while too advanced to be built today, shine a light on the gap between state-of-the-art technology and the demands of the 2050 GHG targets.

“The transition to a low-carbon and clean-emissions future is challenging the industry to find solutions that are at once commercially viable, technically feasible and safe. Since shipping is already an efficient mode of transport and significant reductions in fuel consumption have been achieved recently from improvements in design and operations, it will be difficult to find further meaningful GHG-related gains solely by using current technology,” said Gurinder Singh, ABS Director of Sustainability. “The reduction targets for 2030 are challenging but, as they are a measure of carbon intensity, they allow for trade growth. However, any measures taken to meet those goals must also consider 2050 targets if they are to account for the growth in trade and transportation demand while reducing GHG emissions. This will require new technologies.”

Download a copy of the Outlook HERE

About ABS
ABS, a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, is committed to setting standards for safety and excellence in design and construction. Focused on safe and practical application of advanced technologies and digital solutions, ABS works with industry and clients to develop accurate and cost-effective compliance, optimized performance and operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets.