DNV GL recently held its 2nd Alternative Fuels Online Conference. Some 2000 attendees listened to presentations from industry experts on the fuels, technologies, and markets that hold great promise in powering shipping’s journey towards a carbon-neutral future.
“De-carbonization is the grand challenge of our time,” said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO DNV GL – Maritime, at the 2nd Annual DNV GL Alternative Fuels Online Conference. Throughout the three-hour event, attendees heard about the challenges of decarbonization and how meeting the IMO targets for 2050 would affect maritime stakeholders – from ship owners, charterers, and cargo owners to shipbuilders, designers, engine manufacturers, fuel suppliers, financiers, and policymakers.
The Conference looked at a variety of alternative fuels, as well as options for conventional fuels, and their positives and challenges. The presentations covered: The uptake of alternative fuels; Scrubbers; LNG; DNV GL – Maritime’s flagship report the Maritime Forecast to 2050; Methanol as a ship fuel; Ammonia as a ship fuel; the tanker market; while a panel discussion explored the end-users’ perspective of decarbonization.
Reaching the targets will require the application of technology that is currently under development, acceptance of lower speed, and deployment of large volumes of zero-carbon or carbon-neutral sustainable fuels. Looking at the emerging landscape of alternative fuels in shipping, Ørbeck-Nilssen said: “Not only is the number of potential fuels expanding. But the meandering variables of fuel availability, price, and policy measures that could enable or negatively impact each choice make the fuel decision much more difficult. In these extraordinary times, we must make sound decisions today which protect our tomorrow, while keeping our eyes fixed on the horizon for the fuels and innovations that will propel our journey forward.”
Full program and speakers:
Reference: dnvgl.com
Source: Maritime Shipping News