CO2 reduction in shiping to reach a new level

The reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in marine shipping has not been a focus theme in the last years. This will change because the 80th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) adopted a revised GHG Strategy, which aims for a 20% reduction in emissions of vessels by 2030, a 70% reduction by 2040 and net-zero by 2050 (compared to 2008).

All measures that have a positive effect on the CII (Carbon Intensity Index) have to be applied to achieve an improved CII. Among these measures are for example biofiels (e.g. FAME, BTL, HVO) or the reduction of emissions through technical measures – for example new engines or higher efficiency including onboard emission reductions.

Currently, a new MRV monitoring plan is formulated that encompasses not only CO2 but also necessitating the reporting of N2O and CH4. This means that a ship emission report as well as a company emission report needs to be done in the future. The EU Emission Trading System (ETS) strives for the integration of shipping into an open ETS system (trading with other sectors). Included are vessels above 5000 GT which fall under the EU-MRV Regulation. In practice, shipping companies will either have to reduce emissions or have to purchase and surrender ETS emission allowances for each ton of reported CO2. This is a costly subject to be tackled by means.