(NEWS) Decarbonization Roadmap for the Domestic Fleet of the Republic of Korea

September

2024

Decarbonization Roadmap for the Domestic Fleet of the Republic of Korea

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The World Maritime University (WMU) and the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) have released the report Decarbonization Roadmap for the Domestic Fleet of the Republic of Korea. The joint report was launched in the margins of the WMU Maritime Week Conference that took place at WMU headquarters from 27-30 August. Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., WMU President, and Dr Jong-Deog Kim, President of KMI were both in attendance.

The report captures the results of phase one of Zero Emission of Domestic Passenger Ships in the Republic of Korea (ZED-PK), a project that focuses on enhancing energy efficiency and developing a path towards zero emissions for the domestic shipping fleet in the Republic of Korea. ZED-PK encompasses a systematic and transdisciplinary approach involving multiple stakeholders. The project is structured into three phases, each dedicated to progressively advancing decarbonization efforts within the maritime sector.

This phase one report focuses on analyzing the current state of the domestic shipping industry concerning energy efficiency and GHG emissions. Data on ferry fleet characteristics, routes, and fuel consumption were used to map fuel and energy consumption patterns. The report includes an extensive literature review as well as a life-cycle assessment (LCA) of vessels of varying sizes that was performed to understand emissions across their lifespans. Various scenarios are included regarding future fleet performance under different fuel options.

Results indicate that there are significant opportunities to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions in the domestic shipping sector. The research identified short-term measures, such as operational improvements and the adoption of existing energy-efficient technologies, which can yield immediate reductions in fuel consumption and emissions. For the medium-term and long-term, the study proposes a comprehensive roadmap that includes advanced vessel designs, integration of zero-carbon fuels like hydrogen and ammonia, and the development of supportive infrastructure.

The full phase one report can be accessed online.

About Maritime Energy Management at WMU

The philosophy behind Maritime Energy Management (MEM) at WMU is that the inevitable maritime energy transition is an opportunity for the industry. WMU’s MEM educational offerings include the groundbreaking MEM MSc specialization that was introduced in 2015, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Energy delivered by distance learning. WMU’s Maritime Energy Management Research Priority Area focuses on the fundamental understanding of energy in a maritime context and the application of evidence-based knowledge across the field from ships to ports, and from oceans to shipyards, to ensure the cost-effective, safe and environmentally friendly use of resources. The book Trends and Challenges in Maritime Energy Management, was published in 2018 as an outcome of the International Conference on Maritime Energy Management (MARENER 2017) hosted at WMU in 2017. It was one of the most downloaded books in its category in 2018. WMU also offers a Summer Academy course focused on maritime decarbonization.

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