A study on the readiness and availability of low- and zero-carbon ship technology and marine fuels, commissioned by IMO under its Future Fuels and Technology for Low- and Zero-Carbon Shipping Project (FFT Project), has been submitted to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80).
IMO explains that amongst the key findings, the study suggests that achieving a more ambitious decarbonization pathway than business as usual is feasible, with a strengthened level of ambition and implementation of further GHG reduction measures.
The study was completed by Ricardo-AEA Ltd and DNV, under the first phase of the FFT project. The project was launched in September 2022, to support GHG emissions reduction from international shipping. It provides technical analysis to the Organization in support of policy discussions held in the Committee and its subsidiary bodies.
On the basis of the identified state-of-play and projections on global uptake and dissemination of low- and zero-carbon marine technology and fuels, the study assesses different decarbonization scenarios for international shipping.
The main findings, including a summary report of the study, have been submitted to MEPC 80, in order to help inform Member States as they work towards the revision of the Initial IMO GHG Strategy by providing a feasibility analysis on possible strengthened levels of ambition.
Key Goals
The study was partly funded by the IMO GHG TC Trust Fund. The “FUTURE FUELS AND TECHNOLOGY FOR LOW- AND ZERO-CARBON SHIPPING PROJECT (FFT PROJECT)” is a partnership project between the Government of the Republic of Korea and IMO aiming to support GHG emissions reduction from international shipping by promoting the uptake of future fuels and technology and will be implemented by the IMO Secretariat (Marine Environment Division -MED).
The project aims to support the revision and implementation of the Initial Strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships (the ‘Initial IMO Strategy’) and development of mid-term GHG reduction measures by providing technical analysis to the Organization in support of relevant discussions held in the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC).
The project will consist of three main workstreams, as follows:
- carrying out study/research to identify the state-of-play and projections regarding the global uptake and dissemination of low- and zero-carbon marine technology and fuels.
- identifying and supporting possible incentives/regulatory mechanisms, including safety and training issues, to promote the uptake of low- and zero-carbon fuels and technology including mid-, long-term GHG reduction measures.
- promoting technical cooperation (e.g., pilot projects) and organizing outreach activities to reinforce mutual understanding and cooperation between developed and developing countries and global shipping industry.
As part of the first phase of this project, IMO Secretariat (MED) will carry out the study on the readiness and availability of low- and zero-carbon marine technology/fuels and set up a new IMO dedicated website for sharing latest facts in this area.
