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

  • January 19, 2016
    Major funding for UK’s low carbon automotive technology
    Five new innovative projects to develop new low carbon and energy efficient technology in the automotive sector have been awarded US$107 million of joint UK government and industry funding. The measure, which is set to boost jobs and growth in the sector, was announced today by Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, on a visit to the Morgan Motor Company. The funding has been awarded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre, a 10-year, US$1.4 billion joint partnership between Government and the automotive industry. T
  • May 3, 2019
    Gearing up for the global electric vehicle revolution
    As transport, communications and energy networks become inextricably linked, policy makers are recognising the implications for our built environment – and the growing electric vehicle market will have a major impact on the world’s infrastructure, says Rolton Group’s Chris Evans
  • October 5, 2012
    Norwegian study finds electric cars 'pose environmental threat'
    According to a study by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, electric cars might pollute much more than petrol or diesel-powered cars. Researchers found greenhouse gas emissions rose dramatically if coal was used to produce the electricity. Electric car factories also emitted more toxic waste than conventional car factories, claims their report in the Journal of Industrial Energy. However, in some cases electric cars still made sense, the researchers said.
  • October 22, 2014
    Using electricity to power road freight
    Next year sees the start of the first real-life electrified road system for transporting freight. Worldwide freight transportation is predicted to double by 2050 but despite expansion of global rail infrastructure only one third of this additional freight transport can be handled by trains. This means that the largest proportion of freight transport will continue to be by road and as a result, experts expect global CO2 emissions from road freight traffic to more than double by 2050.