New zero-emission projects in shipping on the rise

There was a notable increase in zero-emission projects in the past year, according to the Getting to Zero Coalition’s third update of Mapping of Zero Emission Pilots and Demonstration Projects in shipping.

The third edition of the report includes significantly more projects – up from 106 to 203 – focusing on ship technologies, fuel production as well as bunkering and infrastructure.

This edition of the report includes more detailed information on vessel types, fuel focus, and technologies under development, which could help the industry and regulators track emerging trends and specialization.

“We hope that by continuing to develop a better understanding of the scale and diversity of zero emission pilots and demonstration projects already underway, the mapping can build confidence in the transition to zero emission shipping,” Jesse Fahnestock, Head of Research and Analysis at the Global Maritime Forum, commented.

Hydrogen-derived fuels take a larger share

Some of the key findings in this year’s mapping include an increased focus on hydrogen-derived fuels, a higher number of large vessels targeting ammonia and methanol, more bunkering and infrastructure projects, as well as the emergence of fuel production in Oceania.

Looking at fuel production developments over time, there is a steady and significant increase in hydrogen production projects, and from 2021 there has been a significant increase in ammonia production as well.

“Electricity-derived fuels, particularly hydrogen and ammonia are increasingly taking a larger share of the industry’s focus, with 42 of the fuel production projects involving so-called “Green Hydrogen” based on electrolysis,” Fahnestock added.

Connecting the value chain through pilots and demonstrations

Most projects in the mapping, 114, have a connection to Europe. However, the new mapping includes 60 Asian projects, up from 31 in the second edition.

In addition to a wider geographical focus, the mapping study has in its third version been expanded to include a new category focusing on the parts of the value chain involved in each project.

The Getting to Zero Coalition’s recent report The Next Wave: Green Corridors identified cross-value chain collaboration as one of the key building blocks to establishing green corridors.

Building on the findings of the report, the mapping has been expanded to track parts of the value chain involved in pilot and demonstration projects.

“Almost all projects included in the mapping study involve multiple stakeholders and parts of the value chain,” according to Fahnestock.

“Nonetheless, it remains challenging for projects to establish all the necessary links, such as those to charterers and cargo owners, in the context of a pilot or demonstration. This reinforces the need for Green Corridors to help build those connections.”

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