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

  • May 30, 2013
    Investment in transport systems a powerful driver of long-term growth
    According to a new OECD report, boosting private sector investment in sustainable transport infrastructure will be essential as governments seek to meet long-term economic and environmental objectives at a time of constrained public finances. Mobilising Private Investment in Sustainable Transport: The Case of Land-Based Passenger Transport Infrastructure points out that investment in transport systems is a powerful driver of long-term growth. It also notes, however, that the transport sector is the second l
  • August 11, 2021
    MaaS: 'It's been much easier to convince politicians than we expected'
    As she leaves the Mobility as a Service sector, Piia Karjalainen explains why the user must continue to be the focus – and why we haven’t yet even seen half of the innovations available 
  • February 2, 2012
    European trends in environmental monitoring and enforcement
    David Crawford surveys European trends in environmental monitoring and enforcement
  • April 7, 2017
    Clean diesel technology most cost-effective way to reduce emissions, officials told
    The state environmental policymakers attending the Spring Meeting of the US Environmental Council of States (ECOS) have heard how states can achieve the most cost-effective and immediate air emission reductions by targeting the largest sources of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions and replacing or upgrading those with the newest generation of clean diesel technology. Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum, highlighted the environmental benefits of new diesel technology dur