INDUSTRY REPORT
Image : SMM Hamburg exhibition .
approximately 77 per cent of responding shipowners are planning to invest in emission reduction , six percentage points more than in the previous MIR survey held in 2021 . Their main focus is on technical improvements to their ships ( 76 per cent ), with two-thirds of respondents setting their sights on engine technology , similar to the previous MIR survey .
At the same time , exchanging drive and propeller systems has become significantly more important : 53 per cent are now determined to act in this area ( compared to only 30 per cent in 2021 ), while 48 per cent want to invest in digitalisation ( compared to 35 per cent in 2021 ). Fleet management and remote monitoring of vessel performance are popular digitalisation projects .
“ Independent of the question of which fuel we will be using in future , minimising fuel consumption is what really matters ,” said Hauke Schlegels , General Manager , VDMA – Marine Equipment & Systems . There is still plenty of room for further efficiency improvements , he added .
Finding a suitable fuel , ideally one that can be produced in a carbonneutral process at some point in the future , remains a key factor towards achieving the climate targets . Methanol is now a favourite ( in which 46 per cent of shipowners are willing to invest ) in the report . Liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) received an approval rating in the report of 25 per cent ( compared to 35 per cent in 2021 ).
“ Meanwhile , hybrid technologies ( such as combinations of conventional propulsion systems with battery systems ) continue to
UK marine sector forecast
The UK marine industry , employing more than 61,000 people on shore or at sea , is expected to grow by 2025 but not before contracting in 2024 , research from business insurer QBE has found .
According to QBE ’ s new report ‘ Navigating Maritime Challenges : Forecast for the UK Marine Sector ’, the marine industry in the UK contracted by 8.5 % in 2023 . Aside from 2020 when the industry was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic , this is the sharpest decline for marine since 2016 . The report suggests that the industry will decline by 0.4 % in 2024 before returning to marginal growth of 0.8 % in 2025 .
The report highlighted disruptive and costly events such as the diversion of journeys from the Red Sea , as pressure in the region intensified . Brexit and the conflict in Ukraine have significantly squeezed maritime transport in recent years . Disruption to supply chains and trade flows , and administration burdens linked to sanctions compliance and customs requirements for trade with EU markets , have caused significant delays . Shipping firms have also been hit by the steep increases in fuel prices sparked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 .
It is expected that labour issues and regulatory pressures will complicate operations in the coming years , placing additional pressure on maritime routes and supply chains .
be held in high esteem by shipowners . Ammonia has gained some points , rising to 18 per cent ( 2021 : 14 per cent ), an improvement that is even more pronounced among shipyard representatives ( from 12 to 27 per cent ). Apart from hybrid solutions ( 57 per cent ), hydrogen is likewise one of the favourites in this segment ( 41 per cent ). The picture is similar among suppliers . The majority of survey respondents agree that environmental protection and sustainability will remain the most important issues for the industry ,” said the report .
The SMM2024 international maritime trade fair will take place in Hamburg , Germany , from 3-6 September 2024 . Around 2,000 exhibitors and more than 40,000 visitors from over 100 countries are expected to attend .
In February this year , UK Maritime Minister Lord Davies announced a £ 33 million boost for green ports and ships in the UK , accelerating the race to decarbonise the sector . This funding , part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition ( CMDC ), brings the total to £ 128 million , supporting projects dedicated to constructing electric vessels and charging ports . The funding comes from the £ 206 million UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions ( UK SHORE ) programme . n
According to the report , approximately 77 per cent of responding shipowners are planning to invest in emission reduction
Gdańsk container port in Poland ( image : Shutterstock . com .)
24 | ismr . net | ISMR June 2024