BY ANTHONY KING
Shipping, while essential for trade, contributes significantly to the emissions that cause climate change. Global shipping spews out 3% of worldwide greenhouse gases (GHG). With the maritime industry responsible for transporting no less than 90% of world commerce, there is increasing pressure on the sector to reduce its carbon footprint swiftly.
‘International shipping in open seas is one the major sources of all emissions in Europe,’ said Syed-Asif Ansar, scientist at the German Aerospace Centre, DLR.
While 3% might not seem titanic in scale, growth in demand for shipping worldwide means that maritime emissions have been accelerating faster than most other sectors, he says.
Without action, shipping could be responsible for 10-13% of global emissions within a few decades.
Transitional fuel
Today, most ocean liners and…