Special Feature
The Path to Decarbonization of the Maritime Industries - Season 9 -

Efforts Toward Decarbonization

New Product Development Initiatives

The IMO (International Maritime Organization) has set the goal of achieving net zero GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions by around 2050, and its target for 2030 is to reduce GHG emissions by 20% (compared to 2008 levels).
The IMO Mid-Term Measures, which are GHG-related regulations, are scheduled to be approved at MEPC83 (the 83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee) to be held in April 2025, and shall come into effect in 2027.

Prior to the IMO Mid-Term Measures, the EU introduced the EU-ETS (European Union Emissions Trading System) for shipping in 2024, and the Fuel EU Maritime (a regulation to set the upper limit of GHG intensity for fuels used on ships) in 2025.
The regulation sets an upper limit for the GHG intensity of fuels used on board ships and covers not only CO2, but also slip methane (unburned methane) and N²O (nitrous oxide) emitted from engines.
We, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment Co., Ltd. (MHI-MME), have supplied turbochargers for LNG, ammonia, and methanol-fueled engines. Also, we have been developing waste heat ORC ^{(* 1)} to reduce fuel consumption of ships.
In addition, we are developing LNG fired engine aftertreatment equipment, ammonia fueled engine aftertreatment equipment, and fuel reforming equipment for institutions that can convert to alternative fuels such as LNG and ammonia.
The LNG-fueled engine aftertreatment system ^(*2) oxidizes slip methane (GWP ^{(* 3)}: 28) emitted from LNG-fueled engines. We are developing this system with the goal of reducing slip methane emissions by installing an oxidation catalyst.
We are also developing an ammonia-fueled engine aftertreatment system that can simultaneously treat unburned ammonia, N₂O (GWP: 265) and NOx emitted from ammonia-fueled engines.
At the same time, we are conducting basic research on the fuel reformer, a pretreatment unit, for LNG fuel reforming and ammonia cracking.
In LNG fuel reforming, part of the fuel is converted to hydrogen, with the goal of reducing methane in the fuel and reducing slip methane by improving combustion.
We will continue development so that we can make timely proposals in response to regulatory trends.

(*1) ORC: Organic Rankine Cycle ⇒ Power generation system using organic medium of low boiling point
(*2) Joint research product of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Daihatsu Diesel Co., Ltd
(*3) GWP: Global Warming Potential ⇒ Global warming potential based on CO₂

Participation in Global Conferences

From October 15 to17, 2024, the GMF Annual Summit was held in Tokyo, following the one held in Athens in 2023. Approximately 200 representatives from partner companies and organizations participated in the summit, including the MHI group. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) also attended the summit, and many leaders from finance, insurance, and the maritime industry (ship companies, classification societies, ports, seafarers' organizations, non-profit organizations, etc.) gathered. They were divided into multiple working groups to promote decarbonization and digitalization, and to promote DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) across the maritime industry, and deepened discussions on various issues. The content reaffirmed the importance of the IMO Mid-Term Measures to be approved by the MEPC83 (83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee) in April 2025, such as transparent and equitable use of funds generated by the charging system, the early establishment of new regulations and standards, the role of AI and the upgrading of the working environment for seafarers. The next summit will be held in Antwerp in 2025. （※）GMF (Global Maritime Forum): International non-profit organization headquartered in Copenhagen.