Lowering emissions from the shipping sector

Abstract

This chapter focusses on lowering emissions from the shipping sector. It discusses marine transportation as a source of airborne emissions and the efforts undertaken to limit these emissions. The chapter explains the different types of fuels used by the shipping industry and presents the estimates of GHG and non-GHG emissions from ships. Various regulations which have been implemented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in order to limit these airborne emissions are then evaluated. These include limiting sulphur content in fuels and declaration of Emission Control Areas (ECAs), Adoption of NOx Emission Standards for Engines, Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP). Various mechanisms to lower emissions from the shipping industry including use of LNG as a clean fuel for ships and technical and operations measures for energy-efficient shipping are discussed. The implications of these regulations are examined and the chapter concludes with an assessment of the challenges in lowering emissions from the shipping sector.