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Technical Requirements for 2023 IMO GHG Strategy

Author

Listed:
  • Chunchang Zhang

    (Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
    Ship Energy Efficiency Data Center, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Jia Zhu

    (Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
    Ship Energy Efficiency Data Center, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Huiru Guo

    (Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
    Ship Energy Efficiency Data Center, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Shuye Xue

    (Ship Energy Efficiency Data Center, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Xian Wang

    (Ship Energy Efficiency Data Center, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
    College of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Zhihuan Wang

    (Ship Energy Efficiency Data Center, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
    Institute of Logistics Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Taishan Chen

    (Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
    Ship Energy Efficiency Data Center, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Liu Yang

    (Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
    Ship Energy Efficiency Data Center, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Xiangming Zeng

    (Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
    Ship Energy Efficiency Data Center, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Penghao Su

    (Ship Energy Efficiency Data Center, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
    College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

Abstract

The 80th session of the IMO Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (2023 IMO GHG Strategy), with enhanced targets to tackle harmful emissions. This study strives to provide an exact interpretation of the target of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy and reveal the technical requirements therein. Decarbonization targets were expressed in IMO GHG emission scenarios for specifications. Model calculations and parameterizations were in line with IMO GHG reduction principles and decarbonizing practices in the shipping sector to avoid the prejudicial tendency of alternative fuels and the overestimated integral efficiency of short-term measures in existing predictions. IMO DCS data were used for the first time to gain reliable practical efficiencies of newly adopted regulations and further reduce the model uncertainty. The results demonstrated that the decarbonization goals for emission intensity were actually 51.5–62.5% in the IMO GHG reduction scenarios, which was much higher than the IMO recommended value of 40% as the target. Combined with the continuous applications of short-term measures, onshore power and regulations were required to contribute their maximum potential no later than the year 2030. Even so, considerable penetration (15.0–26.0%) of alternative fuels will be required by 2030 to achieve the decarbonization goals in the 90% and 130% scenarios, respectively, both far beyond the expected value in the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy (i.e., 5–10%). Until 2050, decarbonization from alternative fuels is required to achieve ~95%. Sustainable biodiesel and LNG are the necessary choices in all time periods, while the roles of e-methanol and e-ammonia deserve to be considered in the long term. Our findings highlight the intense technical requirements behind the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy and provide a pathway option for a fair and impartial transition to zero GHG emissions in the shipping sector, which might be meaningful to policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Chunchang Zhang & Jia Zhu & Huiru Guo & Shuye Xue & Xian Wang & Zhihuan Wang & Taishan Chen & Liu Yang & Xiangming Zeng & Penghao Su, 2024. "Technical Requirements for 2023 IMO GHG Strategy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:7:p:2766-:d:1364827
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jinyu Zou & Penghao Su & Chunchang Zhang, 2025. "A Comparison of the Cost-Effectiveness of Alternative Fuels for Shipping in Two GHG Pricing Mechanisms: Case Study of a 24,000 DWT Bulk Carrier," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Yanfang Zhao & Feng Liu & Yuanyuan Zhang & Zhanli Wang & Zhen Song & Guanjie Zan & Zhihuan Wang & Huiru Guo & Hanzhe Zhang & Jia Zhu & Penghao Su, 2024. "Economic Assessment of Maritime Fuel Transformation for GHG Reduction in the International Shipping Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Xinyu Liu & Guogang Yang & Baixun Sun & Jihui Li & Yinhui Sun, 2025. "Numerical Simulation Study on the Dynamic Diffusion Characteristics of Ammonia Leakage in Ship Engine Room," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-20, April.
    4. Mohammed H. Alshareef & Ayman F. Alghanmi, 2024. "Optimizing Maritime Energy Efficiency: A Machine Learning Approach Using Deep Reinforcement Learning for EEXI and CII Compliance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-28, November.

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