The governments of Denmark, Norway and the United States, along with the Global Maritime Forum and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, today announced that they will lead a new zero-shipping mission. program as part of Mission Innovation. The mission aims to accelerate international public-private collaboration to scale and deploy new green maritime solutions, placing international shipping on an ambitious zero-emission path. The mission will also be supported by the governments of India, Morocco, United Kingdom, Singapore, France, Ghana and South Korea.

“Through fearless technological innovation, an ambitious deployment of clean energy, and constructive international collaboration, we can build a net zero carbon economy that creates millions of jobs and elevates our citizens to greater prosperity,” said Jennifer Granholm, US Secretary of Energy.

Carrying 80 to 90% of world trade in a less carbon intensive way than other modes of freight transport, international maritime transport nevertheless accounts for around 2 to 3% of total annual greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Without immediate and concerted efforts, emissions from the sector could increase between 50% and 250% by 2050.

The three main objectives of the zero emission maritime transport mission are:

• Develop, demonstrate and deploy zero emission fuels, vessels and fuel infrastructure in a coordinated manner throughout the value chain.
• By 2030, ships capable of running on zero-emission hydrogen-based fuels, such as green hydrogen, green ammonia, green methanol and biofuels, will represent at least 5% of the global fleet high seas measured by fuel consumption.
• By 2030, at least 200 of these zero-emission wake-powered vessels will be in service and will use these fuels on their major offshore shipping routes.

The Zero-Emission Shipping mission is part of Mission Innovation, a global initiative of 24 countries and the European Commission that works to accelerate clean energy innovation. The goal is to help move clean energy solutions from the lab to the market. Mission Innovation was announced at COP21 on November 30, 2015, as world leaders gathered in Paris to engage in ambitious efforts to tackle climate change.

Read more: MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE ZERO EMISSIONS SHIPPING MISSION

Article courtesy of Energy.Gov.

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