Potential and limiting factors in the use of alternative fuels in the European maritime sector

Maritime sector is a key asset for the World economy, but its environmental impact represent a major concern either at EU and global level. In spite of the relative good efficiency of the propulsion systems, the use of Heavy Fuel Oil results in high pollutant emissions and thus high environmental impacts. The sector has started its journey towards decarbonisation, and the International Maritime Organisation has set an initial strategy, on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In order to meet the 2050 targets, the shipping sector has to shift from fossil fuels to alternative fuels, as internal combustion engines are expected to remain relevant in the medium term. The paper addresses the complexity and high variance related to the activities that compose the maritime industry. A sector segmentation is proposed, with the aim to define the consumption of each sub-segment, and identify potential alternative fuels, for the specific service provided. The consumption is then compared with the current alternative fuel availability, at EU level. An analysis of the limiting factors for fuel uptake shows that several alternatives are already available from road, but development is needed to scale up them to the requirements of the maritime sector, to integrate components into systems and test them in maritime environments. Therefore, real penetration of a specific alternative fuel will be defined by many technical, and non-technical factors: the future mix of fuels used in transport will depend on technology improvements, availability, costs and potential of various fuels for GHG emission reduction.

PRUSSI Matteo;  SCARLAT Nicolae;  ACCIARO Michele;  KOSMAS Vasileios; 

2021-02-08

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

JRC121684

0959-6526 (online),   

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095965262100069X?via%3Dihub,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC121684,   

10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.125849 (online),