Diverse attendance and constructive dialogue praised at Singapore event  

April’s Maritime Decarbonisation Conference, Asia provided a platform for sharing insights, connecting with thought leaders and gaining a deeper understanding of the maritime industry’s decarbonisation challenges and opportunities.

Delegates gave high marks to the panel on Green Finance, the opportunity to connect with European suppliers and the thought-provoking conversations on ways to optimise the entire marine fuels and emissions value chain.

Key takeaways from an intensive two days of conference, exhibition, networking and social events were that companies are setting ambitious decarbonisation targets, with some aiming for net-zero emissions by 2040 or 2050. At the same time fossil fuels are expected to play a significant role in the shipping industry for the foreseeable future. Strategies for minimising the environmental impact of fossil fuels, such as carbon capture, wind propulsion and operational efficiency measures are rapidly gaining traction and scrubbers will play a key role reducing ship emissions over the next two decades. Biofuel usage will only increase although there are operational and testing issues that need urgent attention.

Owners and charterers recognise decarbonisation will change the competitive landscape of the shipping industry and are committing resources to new pathways. Delegates heard how Fortescue intends to lead the way in green ammonia initiatives in order to decarbonise its shipping operations. BHP also shared their perspective on decarbonisation opportunities and challenges through to 2050.

There was particular interest in the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation Pay As You Save pilot project launched just ahead of the conference. It represents a significant effort to accelerate the adoption of energy efficiency technologies in the shipping industry by developing an innovative financing model that aligns the interests of shipowners, charterers and technology providers. Delegates were able to question the architects of this new initiative which is designed to help unlock large-scale deployment of energy efficiency solutions.

It’s often said that a picture is worth a thousand words and a fitting finale to the conference was a pictorial summary of the conferences key themes by a white boarding specialist.

Riviera’s Maritime Decarbonisation Conference series rotates around the globe. The next edition takes place September 23 - 24 in Amsterdam and this will be followed by a two-day event in Houston 4-5 December.