Decision Support for Defossilisation Pathways for a Selected Fleet Operating in a Green Corridor

Kurzfassung

The maritime sector contributes approximately 3 % of the total greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Regulatory bodies such as the IMO and the EU have passed laws, which aim to achieve net zero emissions of waterborne trade by 2050. However, to drive the green transition forward, significant efforts by private and public stakeholders are necessary. One such way is the establishment of "green corridors" between ports to encourage the use of alternative propulsion systems. To evaluate, which combinations of energy systems and fuels are the most cost effective for a fleet operating in such a green corridor, the tool "ReFleet" is developed. ReFleet evaluates defossilization pathways using a design of experiment (DOE) approach for individual vessels by assessing the total costs of ownership (TCO) for adopting different alternative propulsion systems and fuels to support the technology selections of ship owners and suggest optimal pathways for the chosen fleet. A case study is carried out for a green corridor in the southern Baltic Sea. The findings support ship owners in selecting an economically feasible defossilization strategy which is compliant with international regulations encompassing a wide variety of energy systems. Port operators receive support in aligning and coordinating investments in alternative fuel infrastructure tailored to the fleet operating within the designated green corridor in the southern Baltic Sea.