How Ports Around The World Are Decarbonizing – CleanTechnica

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Did you know that 80% of international trade and the goods we use in our everyday lives travel by sea from port to port? These goods generate 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, so reducing these emissions is critically urgent to protect our climate, oceans, economy, and human health. Of the 50 ports around the world that ship the most, 42 are located around cities, where they generate jobs and support local and national economies.

Despite their economic importance, ports pose dilemmas for the environment. Maritime air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases are serious contributors to global GHG emissions, with projection of the shipping industry is projected to grow on average at 2.1% annually for the next four years. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set robust goals to curb GHG emissions from international shipping so as to align with the Paris Agreement. The IMO aims for a reduction of 20%, by 2030 and 70% by 2040 in relation to former 2008 levels. Can a 100% reduction by 2050 to achieve net-zero emissions in ports around the world really happen?

Seaport operations are categorized into two main areas.

• Land logistics encompass cargo handling, storage, customs processing, and inland transportation.
• Maritime logistics include vessel traffic management, berth allocation, cargo loading and unloading, and fuel and maintenance services.

The implementation of effective reduction measures in maritime operations, especially at seaports as significant contributors, is essential. As our CleanTechnica colleague, Michael Barnard, has outlined, ports are embroiled problems related to their function to anchor heavy industry that depends on steady, cheap power. But they also host ships that idle on diesel engines burning through thousands of liters of fuel while tied to the quay.

For years the solution to both problems was more fossil generation. Now smart port solutions can enhance efficiency and transparency.

What Innovations are Making Ports More Sustainable?

There are lots of options for ports around the world to decarbonize.

Adoption of alternative fuels: A range of alternative fuels, including LNG, biofuels, methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia, is possible for ports. Yet liquid fuels alone cannot meet long-term climate targets or the local air-quality standards that port cities are now enforcing. Batteries are the next step, not for crossing oceans yet, but for what happens close to shore.

Renewable energy: Electric vessels exhibit far lower total cost of ownership compared to diesel-powered counterparts. The transition to river-going and near-shore electric shipping is underway in Europe, China, Brazil, and Canada. Battery electric ships (BES) are now traversing waterways across the globe.

Electrification of port operations: Significant emissions at ports arise from vessels docked at berth. Ground vehicles and equipment consume about 15% of port energy yet are responsible for up to 30% of particulate emissions. Electrification of these assets promises an immediate emissions reduction of over 90%.

Energy management systems: Port electrification, logistics, microgrids, renewable energies, energy storages, and port automation are all part of the big picture of energy management systems. Different smart port founding perspectives play a decisive role in technology approaches to building a port energy management system including optimizing algorithms for energy consumption, balancing demand and energy production, and comprehensively integrating renewable energy.

AI-driven analytics: Emily Newton writes in Global Trade how visual and analytical replica react instantly to incoming information, displaying vessel positions, cargo handling activity, and weather conditions. Such situational awareness moves from human observation or delayed reports to a comprehensive view of timely port operations. Ship tracking becomes more precise, navigational safety is sharpened, and emergency preparedness is elevated through realistic, AI-generated simulation exercises, Newton explains.

Blockchain-based emissions tracking: The Institute of Supply Chain Management defines blockchain as, essentially, a digital ledger that records transactions across multiple computers in a way that ensures the data is secure, transparent, and immutable. Blockchain technology has emerged as a potential solution to address the imperative need for enhancing security, transparency, and efficiency in the maritime industry, where increasing reliance on digital systems and data prevails. Blockchain technology, with its promise of decentralized, secure, and transparent record-keeping, has found a good fit in the maritime trade sector.

Ports Across The World That Are Working To Decarbonize

World Resources International has compiled a list of several ports across the world that are making concerted efforts toward a net zero emissions future.

• The Port of Barcelona is already installing shore power for both container ships and passenger ferries, drawing on 100% renewable electricity. The port is also investing in electric straddle carriers for moving containers as part of its broader efforts to halve carbon emissions by 2030 (relative to 2017).
• Norway signed a memorandum of understanding to promote sustainable maritime transport, including port decarbonization. This agreement looks to initiate low-carbon supply chains to create a green maritime corridor between the two countries.
• The Port of Trelleborg in Sweden is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2040 and exploring green fuel options. It is also establishing “green corridors,” which aim to create low-emission transportation routes with partner ports.
• In China, the Port of Shanghai has developed a workplan to boost the transition toward alternative maritime fuels. This will increase the supply of liquefied natural gas, methanol and ammonia for vessel refueling (known as bunkering). A maritime decarbonization center is planned to help coordinate efforts in the transition toward alternative fuels.
• Rotterdam, Netherlands has set out a clear goal to become the green shipping hub of Europe.
• Many smaller ports including Walvis Bay in Namibia, have begun to pilot the production of green hydrogen.

Of course, the pathway to decarbonization of ports around the world takes specific steps, which the WRI outlines as:

• Analysis on the economic case for action based on the current and projected future state of progress in vessel decarbonization and fuel choices;
• Analysis of the benefits and challenges associated with various alternative fuel options, including electrification, biofuel strategies that minimize suboptimal land use, ammonia, methanol and hydrogen, for land-side and water-side equipment and vessels;
• A roadmap for fuel development and cost/benefit analysis for the conversion of systems; and,
• Guidance and detailed case studies from ports that have started the transition exploring what has worked and why.

Final Thoughts

Ports across the world have grasped the fact that dedicated climate action is necessary across the transportation sector and beyond. Ports are a site where climate action wins will benefit human and ocean health while supporting global and local economies and sustainable growth.

Due to the interconnectivity of seaports across countries and their role in facilitating trade between diverse regions and continents, policies must be formulated and endorsed on a large scale, necessitating collaboration among authorities. Port climate activists must continue to work against a backdrop of political turmoil and shifting fiscal climates.

Efforts to decarbonize ports offer a flexible and practical opportunity to mitigate climate change, act on health risks, and stimulate sustainable development.