A committee of the IMO = International Maritime Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations, began on the 22nd to discuss the goal proposed by Japan and others to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of ships involved in international shipping to virtually zero by 2050. Is underway.
Countries such as Japan have set a goal of reducing domestic greenhouse gas emissions to virtually zero by 2050, but measures against global warming of ships involved in international shipping, such as the import and export of cargo, will begin on the 22nd. Discussions are underway at the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee.
At the conference, Japan, the United States, and other countries proposed a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping to virtually zero by 2050.
The IMO's goal so far is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half compared to 2008 by 2050, and the goal of virtually zero is a step further.
There are opinions that the cost of countermeasures will be high, especially in developing countries, and there are skeptical voices about the goal because there is no technical support at this time, so it is possible to deepen discussions at the five-day meeting and obtain the consent of member countries. The focus.
Hideaki Saito, a counselor of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, who chairs the committee, said, "We are actively discussing the fact that carbon dioxide emissions from international shipping account for more than 2% of the world total, while asking each country to understand again. I want to encourage you. "
Advances in the development of ships that use fuel such as ammonia and hydrogen
The domestic shipping and shipbuilding industries are also developing ships that use ammonia or hydrogen as fuel, which does not emit carbon dioxide when burned, with the aim of virtually eliminating greenhouse gases emitted from ships. I am.
A group made up of five companies and groups, including the major shipping company "Nippon Yusen", the shipbuilding company "Nippon Shipyard", and engine manufacturers, is promoting the process of burning ammonia mixed with a small amount of biofuel. The development of a ship that virtually eliminates greenhouse gas emissions.
We are planning to transport ammonia as cargo and use it as fuel, aiming for practical use in 2026.
By realizing the development of ammonia-fueled vessels ahead of other countries, we also aim to take advantage of the development of safety guidelines and laws and regulations for new technologies.
In addition, three machine manufacturers such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries are developing engines and fuel tanks for ships of various sizes that use hydrogen as fuel, and are aiming for completion in five years.
The government also plans to support a total of 32 billion yen over a 10-year period for a total of four businesses, including these, with the aim of strengthening the international competitiveness of the shipping and shipbuilding industries in the decarbonized era.