EDITORIAL
MARINE INNOVATION TARGETS EMISSIONS
1 / 2022
EU ’ s Waterborne Technology Platform wants to deploy highly innovative technologies to bring about significant emission reductions in the waterborne transport sector . The platform is tapping into the European Commission ’ s Innovation Fund to reduce carbon .
The EU Innovation Fund is one of the world ’ s largest programs for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies , financed by revenues from the auction of emission allowances from the EU ’ s Emissions Trading System . Deployment of technologies and concepts facilitating the transition to zero-emission waterborne transport can be co-financed via the EU Innovation Fund , too .
This development is highly relevant , since these innovative technologies have reached a technological maturity , but are often not mature enough from a financial perspective .
Thereby , the Innovation Fund is key to deploy the technologies resulting from Research , Development and Innovation , more specifically in the framework of the Co-Programmed Partnership on Zero-Emission Waterborne Transport under Horizon Europe . When Research , Development and Innovation efforts are combined with support for the deployment of innovative technologies , Europe has a real shot to become a true frontrunner in the transition to zero-emission waterborne transport .
Waterborne Technology Platform has been set up as an industry-oriented Technology Platform to establish a continuous dialogue between all waterborne stakeholders , such as classification societies , shipbuilders , ship-owners , maritime equipment manufacturers , infrastructure and service providers , universities or research institutes , and with the EU Institutions , including 19 Member States . Industry players are “ getting greener ” by the minute . Finnish marine engine-maker Wärtsilä wants to be carbon neutral by 2030 – including readiness for zero carbon fuels by the decade ’ s end . Granted , the marine sector still relies on the use of fossil fuels , but Wärtsilä ’ s current portfolio already enables its customers to switch to carbon neutral fuels , such as biofuels or synthetic methane .
As the transition from fossil fuels to carbon neutral ( or carbon-free fuels ) will happen gradually , Wärtsilä is looking to enable this transition by providing technologies that allow its customers to use more sustainable fuels once these become available .
In October 2021 , Wärtsilä Exhaust Treatment and Solvang ASA , a Norwegian shipping company , announced a full-scale pilot retrofit installation of a carbon capture and storage ( CCS ) system on one of Solvang ’ s ethylene carriers , Clipper Eos .
The agreement reinforces Wärtsilä ’ s continued research and development into carbon capture at the point of exhaust to support the shipping industry ’ s decarbonisation pathway . To remain in line with the IMO ’ s decarbonisation targets , Wärtsilä is initially aiming for a 70 % reduction in CO 2 emissions at the point of exhaust with its pilot unit .
PETRI CHARPENTIER
PUBLISHER PubliCo Oy Pälkäneentie 19 A FI-00510 Helsinki Finland Phone + 358 20 162 2200 info @ publico . com www . publico . com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Petri Charpentier
PROJECT MANAGER Paul Charpentier
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Saara Nikkinen
GRAPHIC DESIGN Riitta Yli-Öyrä
CONTRIBUTORS Sami J . Anteroinen Ari Mononen
COVER PHOTO Tallink Grupp
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