Ricardo calls for urgent action on maritime decarbonisation

Movement to decarbonise the maritime sector must be started now to avoid locking in long term future emissions. This stark message features in a new white paper on the future of the shipping industry published by Ricardo.
 
Graeme MacLean, Ricardo’s Principal Consultant on this project, said: “There are significant challenges ahead for the sector as it moves towards net zero, but we believe that the maririme sector can succeed in achieving this goal. However there are some big decisions to be made and the business owners and investors need support to take the necessary steps now.
 
“Vessels have long lifetimes, so it is vital that decarbonisation is built into vessel and infrastructure procurement, otherwise it could be decades before the sector starts to make serious inroads into its emissions.”
 
The barriers and uncertainties are far-reaching. Future fleets may use one of a number of low or zero-carbon energy vectors, each of which could have an effect on the way the vessel operates. Additionally, ports need to understand which future fuels they will need to bunker, then to prepare the bunkering barges, fuel storage and fuel suppliers, and also have the knowledge to do so safely.

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