Wartsila committed to shipping industry’s zero-emission goals
Finnish company Wartsila, which caters to the marine and energy markets, supports European measures to demonstrate zero-emission solutions for all vessel types and services before 2030, it said June 15.
Wartsila played a role in the preparation phase of a partnership agreement between the European Commission and the Waterborne Technology Platform, which addresses energy efficiency and shipping safety, among other things.
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As such, the Finnish company said it was in full support of the plans to showcase zero-emission options for all vessel types and services before 2030, with the ultimate aim of achieving net-zero emissions from maritime transport before 2050.
“Wartsila has, through its research of carbon-neutral fuels and development of related engine technology, taken a leading role in efforts to decarbonise shipping,” it said. “The fuels researched include bio- and synthetic LNG, ammonia, methanol, hydrogen and biofuels.”
The International Maritime Organisation has established a goal of reducing total greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime shipping industry by at least 50% by 2050, relative to 2008 levels. Under a regime dubbed IMO 2020, meanwhile, shippers need to limit the sulphur content of their fuels. Both strategies have pushed maritime shippers to embrace low-sulphur fuel oils and cleaner fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) to realise their targets.
On June 15, the European Commission and the Waterborne Technology Platform signed a memorandum of understanding on the zero-emission target. A formal signing is expected on June 23.
“Time is short if the partnership’s goals are to be achieved, so collaboration with qualified partners, customers and industry stakeholders is essential, as is the need to implement those smart technologies that already exist,” said Mikael Wideskog, the director of sustainable fuels for Wartsila’s marine power division. “This is why we will continue to be very much involved.”