Maersk shipping targets zero CO2 emission by 2050
A.P. Moller -Maersk has announced that it aims at accelerating the transition to carbon neutral shipping by 2050 to reduce environmental hazards in line with the global target implemented by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
According to the company, it aims at having carbon neutral vessels that are commercially viable by 2030, even as it calls for strong industry involvement of other players to achieve this global target.
To achieve this goal, Maersk believed that carbon neutral vessels must be made commercially viable by 2030, and acceleration in new innovations and adaption of new technology is also required.
Research has shown that climate is one of the most important issues in the world, and carrying around 80 percent of global trade, the shipping industry is vital to finding solutions.
By now, Maersk´s relative CO2 emissions have been reduced by 46 percent (baseline 2007), which is approximately 9 percent more than the industry average.
This is why Maersk plans to initiate open and collaborative dialogue with all possible parties to tackle together one of the most important issues in the world; which is climate change in 2019.
Also, as shipping volumes continue to grow, efficiency improvements on the current fossil based technology can only keep shipping emissions at current levels but not reduce them significantly or eliminate them.
“The only possible way to achieve the so-much-needed decarbonisation in our industry is by fully transforming to new carbon neutral fuels and supply chains,” Søren Toft, chief operating officer of A.P. Moller – Maersk, said.
According to Toft, Maersk is putting its efforts towards solving problems that are specific to maritime transport, and it calls for different solutions than automotive, rail and aviation.
“The yet to come electric truck is expected to be able to carry maximum of two twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) and is projected to run 800km per charging. In comparison, a container vessel carrying thousands of TEUs sailing from Panama to Rotterdam makes around 8800km. With short battery durability and no charging points along the route, innovative developments are imperative,” Toft stated.
Given the 20-25-year life time of a vessel, Toft suggested that it is time to join forces and start developing the new type of vessels that will be crossing the seas in 2050.
“The next five-10 years are going to be crucial. We will invest significant resources on innovation and fleet technology to improve the technical and financial viability of decarbonised solutions. Over the last four years, we have invested around USD1 billion and engaged over 50 engineers each year in developing and deploying energy efficient solutions. Going forward we cannot do this alone,” Toft added.
Continuing, he said: “Research & Development is critical to taking the industry away from today’s fossil based technology and by setting this ambitious target, Maersk hopes to generate a pull towards researchers, technology developers, investors, cargo owners and legislators that will activate strong industry involvement, co-development, and sponsorship of sustainable solutions that are yet to be seen in the maritime industry.