Page 6 - AfrElec Week 41 2021

AfrElec SHIPPING AfrElec

Greening shipping needs energy

efficiency and biofuels

ASIA DECARBONISING the global shipping sector improvement of vessels’ energy efficiency and
by 2050 will require investment in energy effi- the reduction of sectoral activity due systemic
ciency and a wholesale move towards biofuels, changes in global trade dynamics.
a new report from the International Renewable Ocean-going currently accounts for 90% of
Energy Agency (IRENA) finds. global trade, and the sector’s decarbonisation
A rapid replacement of fossil fuels with strategy must involve a combination of energy
renewable fuels based on green hydrogen and efficiency and renewable fuels.
advanced biofuels could enable to cut up to 80% Starting now, the active adoption of energy
of CO2 emissions attributed to international efficiency measures will be critical to reduce
maritime shipping by mid-century. energy demand and CO2 emissions in the
“Between 80% and 90% of international trade immediate term.
is enabled through maritime means. Decarbon- In the short term, advanced biofuels will
ising global shipping is one of the most chal- play a key role in the reduction of CO2 emis-
lenging sectors to address - and despite raised sions, providing up to 10% of the sector’s total
ambitions - current plans fall short of what is energy mix in 2050. In the medium and long-
needed. This IRENA outlook clearly shows that term, green hydrogen-based fuels are set to be
cutting CO2 emissions in such a strategic, hard the backbone for the sector’s decarbonisation,
to abate sector is technically feasible through making up 60% of the energy mix in 2050.
green hydrogen fuels,” IRENA’s Director-Gen- Renewable e-ammonia will play a pivotal role,
eral Francesco La Camera said. with 183 million tonnes of renewable ammonia
Shipping is one of the most challenging sec- for international shipping alone, or 43% of total
tors of the economy to decarbonise, and early shipping fuel, will be needed by 2050. This is
action is vital if shipping is to contribute to reach- comparable amount to today’s ammonia global
ing net zero by 2050. production.
IREAN said that forging new relations with While renewable fuels production costs are
hydrogen and ammonia producers, as well as currently high, in the next decades renewable
power suppliers and the petrochemical sector, fuels will become cost competitive and can shield
will be crucial, but concludes that the decarbon- the shipping sector from the volatility that char-
isation of the international shipping sector will acterises the fossil fuels market.
be ultimately viable. Taking early action is vital. Sector decarbon-
If the international shipping sector were a isation can be accelerated and ambition raised
country, it would be the sixth- or seventh-largest beyond the climate goals by fostering investment
CO2 emitter. in the production of renewable fuels.
IRENA’s decarbonisation 1.5°C pathway is Stakeholders need to develop broader busi-
based on four key measures such as indirect elec- ness models and establish strategic partnerships
trification by employing green hydrogen-based involving energy-intensive industries, as well as
fuels, the inclusion of advanced biofuels, the power suppliers and the petrochemical sector.™

P6 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 41 14•October•2021