IMO decarbonisation study turns focus to alt fuels demand

The study was submitted to the IMO under its Future Fuels and Technology for Low- and Zero-Carbon Shipping Project (FFT Project), and has been submitted to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80).

The report assessed three decarbonisation scenarios, ranging from 50%, 80% and 100% decarbonisation by 2050, and found that it may be possible to achieve a more ambitious decarbonisation pathway than business as usual. 

The report identified that announced projects to produce alternative fuel were unlikely to meet the expected rise in demand by 2030 in the case of a 100% reduction scenario. 

Ensuring that demand is created is likely to play a key role in allowing higher levels of ambition and implementation of further GHG reduction measures. 

MEPC 80 is expected to consider proposals to increase the IMO’s decarbonisation objectives from 50% by 2050 towards 80% or 100% full decarbonisation. 

The study was completed by Ricardo-AEA Ltd and DNV, under the first phase of the FFT project. The project was launched in September 2022, to support GHG emissions reduction from international shipping.