Oil major Shell looks to decarbonise shipping by 2050

OIL major Shell has highlighted hydrogen and fuel cells to achieve decarbonised shipping by 2050, reports Colchester's Seatrade Maritime News.

The company is expected to advance research in the area since hydrogen is projected to benefit from build-out throughout the industry.

"The shipping industry needs to develop the new technologies, fuels, and infrastructure required for a net-zero emissions sector at a pace never previously seen," said Grahaeme Henderson, head of Shell shipping and maritime.

"We have listened to our customers and partners in the sector and we have set ourselves an ambitious course. I hope that by doing so, openly and transparently, others will be encouraged to join us and help create a net-zero emissions future for shipping," said Mr Henderson.

Although clean hydrogen can be expensive to produce today, it is attracting interest for power and land-based transport. These other sectors could help develop and pay for some of the matters needed for hydrogen's use as a shipping fuel.

"The shipping sector should stand ready to capitalise on that development. As a fuel, it can be switched in to use with 'fuel-agnostic' fuel cells which have been developed using LNG first," said the Shell report.

Fuel cells that are used to convert fuel into electricity and land-based power could replace internal combustion engine technology.

"They also have the advantage of being able to work using a range of fuel types, including hydrogen or ammonia, which, if produced from renewable energy would result in zero-emissions shipping," said the report.

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2020/10/20 10:11:10