According to relevant US organizations, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation alone accounts for roughly fourteen percent of worldwide GHG emissions.
Fremont, CA: Despite their popularity, both diesel & natural gas will soon become obsolete. Despite present efforts, the marine sector continues to emit more CO2 than is desired or sustainable in the long term.
Decarbonization-related themes dominate the marine industry news. It is a critical issue that the maritime sector and shipping firms cannot afford to ignore. According to relevant US organizations, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation alone accounts for roughly fourteen percent of worldwide GHG emissions.
Companies can, however, already make considerable strides toward reducing the industry's carbon footprint. This list of five fuel alternatives can help dramatically lower these numbers by utilizing more sustainable engineering technologies and route optimization.
Natural Gas
Natural gas, the most ecologically benign fossil fuel, is acclaimed for being able to burn cleaner than any other, emitting 50-60% less CO2 than conventional oil. Its greenhouse gas emissions are also lower than the norm. Natural gas is a beneficial ingredient, but it poses significant transportation issues. These can be addressed by improving transportation infrastructure to minimize potentially hazardous leaks.
Ethanol
Despite being a fossil-based fuel, ethanol-produced integrated biorefineries remain a more feasible choice than many others, with greater sustainability levels for most uses. It can save as much as 87 percent more GHG emissions than regular gasoline in its pure form. Although research on the significance of ethanol for the transition away from fossil fuels is still underway, recent evidence is encouraging.
Methanol
Methanol is one of the most sustainable maritime fuel options, derived primarily from natural gas or coal, agricultural waste, and other renewable sources. This is partly because it has the lowest carbon percentage and the most excellent hydrogen content of any liquid fuel. Because of its renewability, methanol is one of the most readily accessible alternative fuels in the maritime sector. This energy carrier may be used in two and four-stroke engines. Furthermore, methanol may be kept in liquid form at atmospheric pressure.
Hydrogen
Because hydrogen is a non-toxic gas, it has several advantages over other fossil fuel and carbon-based alternatives. This explosive has a much lower volumetric density than more traditional maritime fuels. While additional research is needed, hydrogen is recognized as one of the most plausible mid- and long-term solutions. This is because, when utilized in internal combustion engines, this fuel type has the potential to virtually eliminate GHG emissions, representing a significant gain for maritime transportation fuels.
Ammonia
Ammonia, which is mainly derived from fossil-fuel-based hydrogen, has the potential to be collected from carbon-free sources. Scientists are now investigating this route for the manufacture of renewable fuels. Ammonia's low energy density allows for greater storage capacities, while its corrosive solid potential poses specific health and safety issues. Although it is one of the least investigated alternative fuels, it is expected to become a viable choice shortly.
