As shipping is currently exploring new fuel alternatives in line with the Initial GHG Strategy, IMO has facilitated virtual informal discussion sessions, on 14-15 April, on lifecycle GHG/carbon intensity for potential future fuels for shipping.
Under the IMO’s Initial GHG Strategy, shipping eyes a reduction in the carbon intensity of international shipping by at least 40% by 2030 and a significant further reduction in carbon intensity to achieve the 2050 level of ambition – cutting GHG emissions by 50%. This aligns with IMO’s vision to ultimately phase out GHG emissions as soon as possible in this century.
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As such, the sessions provided a platform for all IMO Member States and organizations in consultative status with IMO to exchange views and share updated information on how to assess and potentially regulate the lifecycle of carbon emissions.
The webinar-like discussion sessions, attended by more than 280 participants, contributed to increasing the understanding of the carbon lifecycle of various fuel options and how these might be considered in future,
…IMO said.
IMO’s MEPC 76, to meet remotely from 10-17 June is expected to consider the way forward for discussions on candidate future low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels for shipping, which have diverse production pathways (for example, different generations of biofuels, hydrogen-based fuels, etc.) entailing significant differences in their overall environmental footprint. The MEPC is also expected to adopt the important short-term measure to cut the carbon intensity of all ships, as approved at the last session.
The recent Low and Zero-carbon Alternative Fuel Symposium identified lifecycle assessments as a priority issue for the Organization to work on to further facilitate the development and uptake of alternative marine fuels.
