New regulations on maritime emissions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the recent regulations on maritime emissions, specifically the goal to reduce commercial shipping emissions by half by 2050. Participants explore the feasibility of these regulations, potential technologies for emission reduction, and the broader implications for the shipping industry.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the realism of the emissions reduction target, suggesting it may be more of a public relations effort than a feasible plan.
  • There is a proposal that excluding nuclear power from discussions on emissions reduction undermines the seriousness of the plans.
  • Concerns are raised about the effectiveness of natural gas as a transitional fuel, with some arguing it does not significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to diesel.
  • One participant notes that reducing emissions of NOx, SOx, and particulates may be more achievable, as these are currently unregulated.
  • Questions are posed regarding the scope of the regulations, including which types of vessels are included and the implications for port infrastructure if bunker oil is phased out.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility and seriousness of the proposed regulations, with no consensus on the effectiveness of various technologies or the inclusion of nuclear power in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for significant efficiency improvements to achieve the proposed carbon reduction, and there are uncertainties regarding the regulatory scope and the impact on existing infrastructure.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those involved in environmental policy, maritime engineering, and energy economics, as well as individuals concerned with the future of shipping regulations and emissions reduction strategies.

Dedale
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I stumbled on a recent article on the guardian newspaper: https://www.theguardian.com/environ...m-ships-at-sea-to-be-regulated-for-first-time

I was wondering if that was realistic or just some sort of public relation stint. The regulation set a distant future date tu curb commercial ship's emissions by half. 2050

How would you do that ?

I heard about experiments with big kites or rotorships to reduce fuel consumption. But the savings were modest. Gas turbines would displace the pollution problem since natural gas extraction can pollute a lot. For example trough leaks of methane.

Nuclear ships are heavily boycotted. The nucleophobe movement does not seem to do a pause. I am aware of only one nuclear cargo and a few icebreakers in service.
 
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Dedale said:
I was wondering if that was realistic or just some sort of public relation stint.
As a general rule, I consider any plan that excludes nuclear power to be unserious. Considering that shipping (per the link) is only 2% of CO2 emissions, I consider discussion of it to be essentially pointless. CO2 emissions are still being driven primarily by the same economics and politics that has always driven them; very little due to concerted CO2 reduction effort.

Case in point; the US is one of the world leaders in CO2 reduction, despite not ratifying any of the treaties. How? It happened primarily on it's own, because natural gas got cheap.
The regulation set a distant future date tu curb commercial ship's emissions by half. 2050

How would you do that ?
Gas turbines would displace the pollution problem since natural gas extraction can pollute a lot. For example trough leaks of methane...
I don't know if that last bit is true or not (I suspect not), but regardless, natural gas only emits about 25% less CO2 than diesel, so it can't get us to a 50% reduction (unlike replacing coal, where it gets you close).
 
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Reducing overall emissions of NOx, SOx, and particulates might be feasible. Sounds like they are not regulated now, so probably some low hanging fruit. But a 50 % reduction in carbon requires a large efficiency improvement, and that sounds tough.
 
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So is that a reduction for international shipping, excluding coastal maritime, inland river and lake barges and the like.?
Fishing boats?
Yachts?
Pleasure boats?
Cruise ships?

If bunker oil is to be phased out for tankers and container vessels, then the port infrastructure for fueling needs a complete overhaul.
Wonder how that is going to work out in 30 years.