The International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC) has released in its latest Terra et Aqua an article named ‘Towards a Green Maritime Technology’.
In a world with growing population, urbanization, mechanization and thus increased energy demands in the future, in combination with the influence of fossil energy resources on global warming, the 21st century has already brought – and will continue to bring – many different challenges.
The European Maritime Industry (ICS, International Chamber of Shipping) announced recently the goal of CO2 reduction of 50 per cent in 2050 is achievable.
According to the COP21 (United Nations Climate Change Conference) Paris Agreement, the whole world must be fossil-fuel free by 2080 in order to limit global warming to +2°C.
The awareness of the need for efficient use of any kind of energy source in combination with further developments and research of renewable energy and energy sources has also reached the maritime industry.
OEM type companies innovate not only in fuel efficiency and product development in their own field of industry, they also work together with other innovative companies and look after synergy effects by combining innovative applications and solutions in a creative way.
With all current and new innovations in the pipeline, the questions arises: ‘Can we become 100 per cent green in the maritime industry?’ In Europe, the project Joint Operations for Ultra Low Emission Shipping (JOULES) was initiated and involved many maritime industry partners.
Royal IHC and dredge cycles, simulation models and assessment tools were developed and plotted against the development of fossil and non-fossil energy sources now and in the future. The results are very promising, according to IADC.
This paper describes the work executed and conclusions drawn from the JOULES study. The conclusions show a statement for the possibilities and impossibilities in the coming decades and in year 2050.