Subscribe to our Mailing Lists (It's free!)
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
SAFETY4SEA
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    Wan Hai 503

    India tows away blazing container ship from Kerala’s coast

    germany freighter

    Inland freighter leak triggers emergency response in Germany

    bma fall from height

    BMA Investigation: Crew member falls from height

    offshore safety

    New report highlights rising safety risks in the offshore industry

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book review: It all starts with why

    sexual health

    OCG: Seafarers’ sexual health should not be overlooked

    balanced life

    Balanced life improves mental health

    Too important to be routine: Enhancing Master and Chief Engineer performance appraisals

    Too important to be routine: Enhancing Master and Chief Engineer performance appraisals

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    Shanghai green methanol

    Shanghai Electric to deliver China’s first batch of green methanol

    lco2 carriers

    Major stakeholders shake hands over lco2 carriers

    Egypt LNG

    Egypt reaches agreements to buy up to 160 cargoes of LNG

    Commissioner shipping

    EU Commissioner for Transport outlines shipping strategy

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    ai-based ship design

    Korean effort to develop AI-based solutions for ship design

    ai remote inspections

    BV develops AI took to advance remote inspections

    seawater cooling MPA Singapore

    New partnership aims to study seawater cooling for AI infrastructure

    Korean Registry MAPSEA

    New tripartite agreement aims to enhance data-driven operations

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    detention

    Kerala High Court detains vessel in connection to previous incident

    ai remote inspections

    BV develops AI took to advance remote inspections

    Paris MoU detention

    M/V VERA ROSE refused access to the Paris MoU

    Paris MoU: 2024 Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Crew Wages and SEAs

    Paris MoU: 2024 Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Crew Wages and SEAs

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    Fire onboard USS Bonhomme extinguished

    WEF: It will take 123 years to close the gender gap

    port of los angeles

    Consequences of tariffs are slowly creeping up on LA Port

    Zhousan China

    Zhoushan streamlines international ships clearance post-bunkering

    mou academic

    Universities sign MoU on academic research in maritime

  • Columns
    seafarers

    Future ready seafarers: Beyond technical skills

    ethanol

    Ethanol makes its case in maritime decarbonisation

    crew welfare

    Proactive measures can transform crew wellbeing

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    Wan Hai 503

    India tows away blazing container ship from Kerala’s coast

    germany freighter

    Inland freighter leak triggers emergency response in Germany

    bma fall from height

    BMA Investigation: Crew member falls from height

    offshore safety

    New report highlights rising safety risks in the offshore industry

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book review: It all starts with why

    sexual health

    OCG: Seafarers’ sexual health should not be overlooked

    balanced life

    Balanced life improves mental health

    Too important to be routine: Enhancing Master and Chief Engineer performance appraisals

    Too important to be routine: Enhancing Master and Chief Engineer performance appraisals

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    Shanghai green methanol

    Shanghai Electric to deliver China’s first batch of green methanol

    lco2 carriers

    Major stakeholders shake hands over lco2 carriers

    Egypt LNG

    Egypt reaches agreements to buy up to 160 cargoes of LNG

    Commissioner shipping

    EU Commissioner for Transport outlines shipping strategy

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    ai-based ship design

    Korean effort to develop AI-based solutions for ship design

    ai remote inspections

    BV develops AI took to advance remote inspections

    seawater cooling MPA Singapore

    New partnership aims to study seawater cooling for AI infrastructure

    Korean Registry MAPSEA

    New tripartite agreement aims to enhance data-driven operations

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    detention

    Kerala High Court detains vessel in connection to previous incident

    ai remote inspections

    BV develops AI took to advance remote inspections

    Paris MoU detention

    M/V VERA ROSE refused access to the Paris MoU

    Paris MoU: 2024 Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Crew Wages and SEAs

    Paris MoU: 2024 Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Crew Wages and SEAs

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    Fire onboard USS Bonhomme extinguished

    WEF: It will take 123 years to close the gender gap

    port of los angeles

    Consequences of tariffs are slowly creeping up on LA Port

    Zhousan China

    Zhoushan streamlines international ships clearance post-bunkering

    mou academic

    Universities sign MoU on academic research in maritime

  • Columns
    seafarers

    Future ready seafarers: Beyond technical skills

    ethanol

    Ethanol makes its case in maritime decarbonisation

    crew welfare

    Proactive measures can transform crew wellbeing

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
SAFETY4SEA

Clean tech is part of a balanced decarbonization strategy

by Simon Potter
September 30, 2022
in Opinions
icct renewable gas

Credit: Shutterstock

FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin

Over the past 18 months, there has been an increasingly strong focus on new low and zero carbon marine fuels as the dominant means of reducing shipping emissions. The fuels debate is taking centre stage in investment, as well as legislation, argues Mr.Simon Potter, Director of Sustainability Advisory at Houlder.

While this heavy focus on alternative fuels is understandable (the emissions reduction opportunity is huge), there is a risk it will distract the industry and its funders from the significant opportunities to invest in an abundance of renewable and sustainable propulsion technology (clean technology) that is available now.

More carrots and sticks please

RelatedNews

Shanghai Electric to deliver China’s first batch of green methanol

EU Commissioner for Transport outlines shipping strategy

The EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ package, for example, includes strict measures on alternative fuels to achieve the targets outlined in the European Green Deal – a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030 relative to 1990 and climate neutrality by 2050 including shipping emissions.

One policy measure outlined in ‘Fit for 55’ is FuelEU Maritime – set to come into effect in 2025 – which will put a limit on the greenhouse gas intensity of fuels used in maritime transport. While this is an encouraging move, regulators should also offer more commercial incentives for the adoption of maritime clean technology or disincentives for those ignoring it.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is also set to introduce its new carbon intensity indicator (CII) rating system from 2023 onwards. Again, while this is a largely positive move, there is a real risk of unintended consequences emerging.

The majority of ship owners may do little but limit the power of their ships’ engines and ‘slow steam’ while waiting for alternative fuels to emerge at scale, rather than invest in innovative, commercially-ready clean technologies.

While slow steaming is better than nothing, it is a pessimistic approach. It should not be the sole means of reducing fuel use because it also reduces the amount of goods that the existing fleet can ship in a given period. This means more ships will be required – making the challenge of vessel replacement even bigger as worldwide cargo demand continues to grow.

Ripe low hanging fruit

Clean technology is essential to significantly reducing fuel costs, fuel use and therefore emissions. It is increasingly clear that future fuels will be expensive and less energy-dense than current fuel, meaning any fuel efficiency gains that can be attained are critical.

Clean technology also often represents ‘low hanging fruit’. That is to say, it is often cost and time efficient to install, especially when compared to alternative fuel capabilities. Most clean technology can be fitted without taking the vessel out of service or quickly installed at a scheduled dry docking period. This is particularly  important right now because, with such strong container freight rates and charter rates, owners must maximise the trading time of a vessel.

Most clean technology investments offer a clear cash and carbon return on investment (ROI). These two returns are increasingly intertwined as carbon taxes such as the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) put an additional cost on emissions. The EU ETS is expected to be implemented from 2023 and the price of EU allowances (EUAs) will increase. Therefore, in terms of ROI, reducing emissions should be more attractive than buying additional emissions allowances.

Clean technology can also be applied to the existing fleet, meaning it can have an impact on a ship’s emissions today and for the future. It is likely that alternative fuels will not be residual, commoditised products for decades. Inaction is simply not an option and the existing fleet is often overlooked.

Don’t forget the leafy greens

The existing fleet is worth about $1.8 trillion and most of that sits on bank balance sheets, which constitutes significant risk if these assets are not managed properly through the industry’s decarbonisation. Both owners and funders should jump at the opportunity to extend the life and enhance the value of existing assets using clean technology.

Favourable green financing is also available for many clean technology projects. The Poseidon Principles provides evidence that green thinking in finance is becoming the norm, not the exception. While there was good social intention behind the principles, the real driver behind signing up was a hard commercial fact. Banks are recognising that assets which aren’t green will become worthless.

The simple maxim in private equity is that you will invest in a bad business with a good management team before you would invest in a good business with a bad one. A good management team is one that recognises the challenges and the opportunities presented by decarbonisation. It also has a wide-reaching and well-thought-out plan to overcome these challenges and leverage opportunities.

There is an unequivocal rationale for investment in clean technology and it should form an important part of any healthy and balanced maritime decarbonisation strategy. It is important to revaluate the green investments assessed in the past; the chances are, even if regulations prioritise alternative fuels, clean technology now has a strong business case.

 

The views presented are only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.

Clean tech is part of a balanced decarbonization strategyClean tech is part of a balanced decarbonization strategy
Clean tech is part of a balanced decarbonization strategyClean tech is part of a balanced decarbonization strategy
Tags: decarbonizationFit for 55FuelEU Maritimereducing shipping emissionssustainability
Previous Post

DSME develops site to test green and smart technologies for shipping

Next Post

Wärtsilä to help CBO decarbonize its fleet

Simon Potter

Simon Potter

Simon Potter is Director of Sustainability Advisory at Houlder. A naval architect by trade, Simon has hands on experience in engineering roles, including work for shipyards, as well as senior corporate roles. His expertise spans the clean technology, offshore energy, floating production storage and offloading (FPSO), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and defence industries. In his role, Simon helps Houlder guide, support and execute the requirements and aspirations of its clients by delivering decarbonisation consultancy alongside traditional technical needs.

Related News

fully electric freight carrier
Green Shipping

Three companies sign for fully electric freight carrier

June 17, 2025
liquid carbon
Fuels

New endeavour looks at developing liquid carbon transport

June 17, 2025
hydrogen-fueled bulk carriers
Fuels

Norwegian company orders hydrogen-fueled bulk carriers

June 16, 2025
LCO2 carrier
Fuels

UK P&I Club: The rise of LCO₂ shipping

June 16, 2025
electrification norway
Green Shipping

Norway dedicates funding to advance electrification

June 16, 2025
lr b100 biofuel
Fuels

First bunker tanker loads and blends FAME B100 onboard

June 13, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore more

No Result
View All Result
MARITIME EVENTS

Explore

  • Safety
  • SEAFiT
  • Green
  • Smart
  • Risk
  • Others
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

Useful Links

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policies
  • Advertising
  • Content Marketing
  • Contact

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

Manage your privacy
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show (non-) personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA