Bjørn Einar Brath
Head of Siemens Energy Norway
The marine sector needs to act now to ensure it meets environmental targets in the coming years. The technology already exists and is ready to use.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has decreed that the fuel consumption of ships must be documented from 2023 and carbon emissions must be reduced by 40% by 2030.
Bjørn Einar Brath, Head of Siemens Energy Norway, a global leader in energy technology, including green marine solutions, explains: “These targets are achievable because honestly, technology is not the issue, it’s about getting the industry to move along.”
Batteries
Battery power will help reduce emissions. “All new builds should have clear requirements for new technology like batteries, or alternative green fuel. In our existing fleet, which is at least 20 years old, 60% have the potential for remodification to become greener,” Brath suggests.
In 2015, Siemens Energy supplied solutions to the world’s first battery-powered car and passenger ferry and introduced the world’s largest plug-in hybrid vessel four years later. The company also delivered the state of the art battery solution to the world’s largest electrical ferries.
Without regulations and economic incentives, people only look at cost and don’t push themselves to reduce emissions.
Global expansion
“We can be very proud of what we’ve done, but there’s still lots more to do. Blue is the new green and our target now is to globalise.”
However, there are challenges. The Burke Economic Forum said it will take between USD 1.4-1.9 trillion to cut sector emissions 50% by 2050.
“We need a global governmental push to ensure shipowners don’t have any option. Without regulations and economic incentives, people only look at cost and don’t push themselves to reduce emissions,” Brath says.
E-fuels
E-fuels are also likely to play a key role in decarbonising the marine sector. E-methanol, hydrogen, ammonia and liquid organic hydrogen carriers are all potential solutions. Their usage should be accelerated and for that, a government push is needed.
“There is no obvious silver bullet for which type of fuel is the one. You have options. In order to produce alternative fuels, you need a lot of power. We all know the global situation with energy demand and we need to be sustainable from a cost perspective.”