Environmental Sustainability in the Maritime Sector: Decarbonization Efforts

Today, environmental sustainability has emerged as one of the top global priorities. In line with this responsibility, the critical importance of decarbonization in the maritime sector is increasingly being emphasized.

Maritime transportation, which is the backbone of international trade, is also a significant source of emissions due to the use of fossil fuels. These emissions contribute to the growing threats of climate change and environmental degradation.

In this newsletter, we will focus on the steps taken towards decarbonization in the maritime sector and the strategies adopted to reduce environmental pollution. By examining the sector's efforts to reduce its environmental impact and effectively respond to the climate crisis, we will provide an insight into how it is moving towards a cleaner future.

New Roadmap: IMO Updates Carbon Emission Reduction Strategies for Maritime Industry

Member countries of the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a renewed series of strategies at the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) aimed at decarbonizing global maritime shipping, including the goal of bringing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050 or as close to this date as possible. The targets set include reducing total annual greenhouse gas emissions from international maritime shipping by at least 20% by 2030 (compared to 2008) and at least 70% by 2040, aiming for an 80% reduction by 2040.

These adopted strategies stand as a significant step in the future vision of transportation by IMO and its member countries. The critical role of maritime shipping in the global economy further increases the importance of these strategies.

The renewed strategies accepted by MEPC 80 define the roadmap for decarbonizing the maritime sector and ensure progress towards achieving the net-zero emissions goal. The commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050 or around this date should be considered a critical milestone for the transition of maritime shipping to an environmentally friendly and sustainable future.

These strategies also aim to make the sector's transition measurable and trackable with targets for 2030 and 2040. These steps highlight the responsibility of the maritime sector towards environmental pollution and climate change. The globally accepted strategies hold promise for the sector’s progress towards a cleaner, greener maritime transportation system.

Towards a Carbon-Free Future

Due to fuel consumption and combustion processes, the use of fossil fuels results in carbon emissions from ships into the atmosphere.

The primary components of fossil fuel emissions are CO2 (carbon dioxide), SOx (sulfur oxides), and NOx (nitrogen oxides). These emissions can contribute to climate change, air pollution, and damage to marine ecosystems.

Each year, large shipping and cargo vessels carry goods worth $4 trillion, accounting for about 80% of global trade, from food to construction materials. Along the way, these ships emit over a billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Emission levels are expected to rise even further in the coming decades. The maritime sector, which plays such a fundamental role in global trade and supply chains, is crucial in efforts to decarbonize, as it is critical to the carbon-free transition of the global economy.

The Green Revolution in Maritime: Decarbonization

Decarbonization is the process of reducing or removing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to achieve lower greenhouse gas output into the atmosphere. It involves adopting sustainable, low-carbon energy and fuel sources.

Decarbonization in the maritime sector contributes significantly to the fight against climate change. Reducing carbon emissions in the sector helps control global greenhouse gas emissions and supports achieving international climate goals like the Paris Agreement.

Decarbonization also involves increasing energy efficiency, adopting alternative fuels, and embracing clean technologies. The following steps and practices play a key role in achieving the emission reductions needed within the timeframes suggested by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):

Energy Efficiency and Management:

• Advanced Propulsion Systems: Using more efficient and environmentally friendly propulsion systems reduces fuel consumption and prevents greenhouse gas emissions.

• Energy Recovery: Implementing energy recovery systems on ships to utilize waste heat or pressure energy increases energy efficiency.

• Energy Management Systems: Optimizing energy use with efficient management systems on ships reduces fuel consumption and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

Clean Fuels and Alternative Energy Sources

Below are some of the most commonly used alternative fuels, although they are not limited to these:

• LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas): LNG is a lower-carbon alternative fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

• Biofuels: Biomass-based fuels can replace fossil fuels and reduce net greenhouse gas emissions.

• Hydrogen and Electricity: Hydrogen fuel cells and electric ships offer zero-emission options powered by carbon-free energy sources.

Innovation and Technology Development in Maritime Sector

The development and application of innovative technologies play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

Technologies such as sail systems or wind turbines can harness wind energy to meet the ships' energy needs and reduce fuel consumption.

Data Monitoring, Reporting, and Improvement

• CO2 Emission Monitoring and Reporting: Monitoring and reporting CO2 emissions from ships provide valuable information to identify opportunities for improvement.

• Energy Efficiency Management Systems: Using automated systems to monitor and manage energy efficiency on ships optimizes fuel consumption and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

International Regulations and Collaborations

MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) is an important international framework for marine pollution and environmental protection. Turkey is a party to this convention, which was prepared and accepted by the IMO. MARPOL aims to control pollutants discharged into the marine environment and prevent marine pollution. Today, MARPOL's scope and purpose are increasingly aligned with the decarbonization goals of the maritime sector.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) sets regulations and targets to reduce carbon emissions in the maritime sector. The IMO 2050 Strategy, Annex VI (Prevention of Air Pollution), and CO2 Emission Monitoring and Reporting regulations are significant steps in promoting decarbonization.

Other stakeholders in the sector, including classification societies, ports, maritime companies, and academic institutions, are also working to support decarbonization efforts and offer solutions.

The Role of Classification Societies

Classification societies should set standards for decarbonization and sustainability and evaluate the environmental performance of vessels. Certification processes should provide guidance to ship owners and operators in achieving sustainability goals.

The Role of Türk Loydu

Türk Loydu contributes to the sector by offering services in areas such as energy efficiency, carbon emission monitoring, the use of alternative fuels, and sustainability standards. It plays an essential role in promoting decarbonization and developing sustainability standards in the maritime sector.

Türk Loydu aims to maximize energy efficiency by working on innovative propulsion systems, hybrid power technologies, and smart ship designs. It conducts research and evaluation in the use of alternative fuels in the maritime sector and provides comprehensive certification processes for evaluating vessels' environmental performance and developing sustainability standards.

Sustainability certifications include various criteria such as energy efficiency, carbon emissions, waste management, and impact on marine ecosystems. These certifications guide ship owners and operators in achieving their sustainability goals.

Türk Loydu supports important research and development projects related to decarbonization and sustainability in the maritime sector. By participating in many IMO meetings such as MSC and MEPC, Türk Loydu informs the industry through its pre- and post-meeting reports and bulletins. It collaborates with academic institutions, sector stakeholders, and other classification societies to contribute to the development of innovative technologies.

Türk Loydu at MEPC 80 Meeting

In recent years, Türk Loydu successfully completed classification activities for Gisaş Power, the first series of the world's first zero-emission tugboat Zeetug project. In this context, Türk Loydu has also updated its rules for lithium-ion battery-powered vessels and published rules for fuel cells.