Skip to main content

New ETI report highlights technologies to cut carbon emissions in shipping

The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has published a new report in which it highlights affordable measures and technologies that could be taken to reduce the fuel consumption and carbon emissions from shipping. The International Maritime Organisation has stated that maritime emissions could rise by up to 250 per cent by 2050 compared to 2011 levels unless action is taken. According to ETI, eliminating fossil-fuels for shipping does not appear credible in the next few decades; it believes the best
January 24, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has published a new report in which it highlights affordable measures and technologies that could be taken to reduce the fuel consumption and carbon emissions from shipping.

The 2127 International Maritime Organisation has stated that maritime emissions could rise by up to 250 per cent by 2050 compared to 2011 levels unless action is taken.

According to ETI, eliminating fossil-fuels for shipping does not appear credible in the next few decades; it believes the best potential to achieve substantial CO2 reduction is through reducing fuel consumption.

The report, HDV Marine Insights, analyses the UK shipping fleet, the potential opportunities for ship owners and operators and identifies the most promising technologies that could reduce fuel consumption economically. It states that a 30 per cent fleet fuel consumption reduction can be achieved by using a combination of technologies with an economic payback of around two years.

ETI intends to fund development opportunities in flettner rotors (which harness wind to propel a ship), waste heat recovery and high efficiency propulsion systems.

An earlier project in the ETI’s Heavy Duty Vehicle Marine programme undertaken with Rolls-Royce and UCL produced a validated, full-scale shipping model that focused on vessels involved in the UK fleet activity. This model is central to understanding ship trading, technology and the potential for emissions reductions and improvements in fuel consumption.

However, because introducing new technology is challenging, costly and risky, it needs to be demonstrated to give investors and the diverse range of stakeholders in the shipping industry confidence. The ETI is pursuing a series of at-sea demonstrations of new technologies over the next three years.

Related Content

  • August 4, 2015
    Survey: Majority of UK public remains worried about global warming
    A new survey of over 2,000 members of the public by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and ICM Unlimited has found that 57 per cent of the public are worried about global warming, with 14 per cent saying they were ‘very worried’. The poll found that 64 per cent of people think global warming is already a problem now, while 70 per cent said they think global warming will be a problem in 20 years’ time. The main issues the respondents said they were worried about were flooding and sea level rises (63
  • June 16, 2014
    Increased use of bio-fuels would enable Finland to achieve EU emissions goals
    Finland’s technical research centre VTT and the Government Institute for Economic Research (VATT) have completed a study commissioned by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy and the Ministry of the Environment, assessing the impact of the EU's 2030 Climate and Energy Framework on Finland's energy system and national economy. The increased use of second-generation bio-fuels in road transport would provide Finland with the most cost-effective way of achieving the greenhouse gas emissions goals presente
  • January 13, 2017
    Electric boats and ships 2017-2027: Large market emerging, says IDTechEx
    Analysts at IDTechEx have issued a new report, Electric Boats and Ships 2017-2027 looking at this fragmented but often highly profitable and growing sector. It says there are already over 100 manufacturers of electric boats and ships. The report finds that the market for hybrid and pure electric boats and ships will rise rapidly to over US$20 billion worldwide in 2027 for non-military versions. The recreational boat market is the largest and fastest growing electric marine market in sales number, followe
  • February 2, 2017
    Low carbon vehicles ‘must be centred on consumers to succeed’
    A greater understanding of how low carbon vehicles can meet the needs of mainstream consumers is needed if the huge challenge of decarbonising transport in the UK is to be achieved, according to the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI). The ETI believes the most promising opportunity is for an increase in the use and ownership of plug-in electric vehicles (hybrids and battery operated) but new market structures will have to be introduced to enable and support the most promising solutions. Many people