Special Feature
The Path to Decarbonization of the Maritime Industries - Season 7 -

Efforts of the Maritime Industry to Achieve GHG Emissions Reduction Targets

1) GHG emissions reduction targets of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Revision to the IMO’s GHG emissions reduction targets were adopted at the MEPC 80(*1) meeting held in London in July 2023. The chart shown below, prepared by MMMCZCS(*2), shows plots actual GHG emissions in recent years and the IMO’s GHG emissions reduction targets. This indicates that GHG emissions were reduced by only about 5% over the approximately 15 year period from the base year of 2008.
To achieve the target of a 20% reduction by 2030, GHG emissions must be reduced by an additional15%pt in the remaining 7 years including 2024.
This is challenging task due to the obstacles overcome in the widespread adoption of zero-emission fuels. It is urgent to ensure an adequate supply of zero-emission fuels, establish the viability of the business, strengthen various regulations, and apply energy-saving technologies that immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
On the next page, we will present energy-saving technologies that have an immediate effect on reducing GHG emissions.

(*1) MEPC: Marine Environment Protect Committee (Marine Environment Protection Commission of IMO)
(*2) MMMCZCS: The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (Denmark-based global research institution)

The IMO’s GHG emissions reduction targets

2) The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group’s efforts

To achieve the 20% GHG emissions reduction target mentioned on the previous page by 2030, it is crucial to implement energy-saving technologies that have an immediate effect. This is because converting to new fuels takes time, as it entails supply chain and infrastructure development.
The chart shown below illustrates popular energy-saving technologies used in ships. Our major energy-saving technologies include retrofit propellers and waste heat recovery systems, which can contribute to reducing GHG emissions.

Energy-saving technologies used in ships

Participation in a Global Conference

Joined the Annual Summit of the Global Maritime Forum (GMF)

The Global Maritime Forum (GMF), a non-profit a organization based in Copenhagen that aims to advance the decarbonization of the maritime industry, held its annual summit in Athens from October 18 (Wed), to October 19 (Thu), 2023. From the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment’s 2 persons participated in the conference.
200 executives, and representatives from GMF partner companies in the maritime value chain, including major energy and maritime companies, marine product manufacturers, classification societies, port transportation service providers, insurance companies, financial institutions, R&D institutions, and consulting firms, gathered to discuss the progress of decarbonization efforts and major issues in lecture, panel discussion and workshop sessions.
The maritime industry will continue to monitor Europe’s initiatives, which lead the world’s decarbonization efforts, and make use of their progress in its future operations.
The 2024 GMF Annual Summit is scheduled to be held in Tokyo in October 2024.

Photos of the GMF Annual Summit