Ships’ engines are responsible for producing climate-changing pollutants, most notably carbon dioxide. These engines could be culpable for nearly 10% of total global emissions by the year 2050 at current growth rates.
Heavy Fuel Oil and the Challenge of Cleaner Energy
Heavy fuels called HFOs are still the most burnt by most ships. This is a particularly dirty fuel and will be a crucial factor in the future of engine design. The fuel itself will need to be made less toxic at refineries if this is possible.
Efficiency Standards and Industry Adaptation
Different classes of ships will be required to meet new standards based mostly on a baseline figure set as the average efficiency of ships built between 1999–2009. The intention is to make ships more fuel efficient. While the rules are necessarily changing, the difficulties faced by ship builders and route operators in the face of these changes are still very apparent.
Economic Importance of the Shipping Industry
Shipping makes a huge contribution to the world economy. It is vital to intercontinental trade, bringing bulk raw materials within the reach of countries unable to provide them for themselves.