The role of short sea shipping in reducing carbon emissions in the European maritime sector

Posted: May 31st, 2023

The role of short sea shipping in reducing carbon emissions in the European maritime sector
The European maritime sector plays a crucial role in the region’s economy, facilitating trade and transportation. However, it also contributes significantly to carbon emissions, which have detrimental effects on the environment and climate. Short sea shipping (SSS) has emerged as a potential solution to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint. This research essay explores the role of SSS in reducing carbon emissions in the European maritime sector, drawing upon recent scholarly research and data.

Definition and Scope of Short Sea Shipping
Short sea shipping is defined as the maritime transport of goods and passengers within Europe or between Europe and non-European countries with a coastline on the enclosed seas bordering Europe (Eurostat, 2021). It encompasses a wide range of activities, including feeder services, domestic shipping, and maritime transport between European countries. SSS offers an alternative to road and rail transport, which are more carbon-intensive modes of transportation.

Carbon Emissions in the European Maritime Sector
The European maritime sector accounts for a significant portion of the region’s carbon emissions. In 2018, the sector emitted approximately 144 million tonnes of CO2, representing 3.7% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions (European Environment Agency, 2021). These emissions are primarily attributed to the burning of fossil fuels, such as heavy fuel oil, by ships. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set ambitious targets to reduce the sector’s carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels (IMO, 2018).

Advantages of Short Sea Shipping in Reducing Carbon Emissions
1. Lower Emissions per Tonne-Kilometer
SSS has been shown to have lower carbon emissions per tonne-kilometer compared to road and rail transport. A study by Hjelle and Fridell (2020) found that SSS emits 50-60% less CO2 per tonne-kilometer than road transport and 20-30% less than rail transport. This advantage is primarily due to the economies of scale achieved by ships, which can carry larger volumes of cargo per trip.

2. Potential for Alternative Fuels and Technologies
SSS also has the potential to adopt alternative fuels and technologies that can further reduce carbon emissions. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has emerged as a cleaner alternative to traditional marine fuels, with up to 20% lower CO2 emissions (Balcombe et al., 2019). Additionally, the use of wind-assisted propulsion, such as Flettner rotors, can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 10% (Comer et al., 2019).

3. Modal Shift and Intermodality
Promoting SSS as an alternative to road transport can lead to a modal shift, reducing the overall carbon emissions of the European transport sector. SSS can be integrated into intermodal transport chains, combining maritime, rail, and road transport to optimize efficiency and minimize emissions. A study by Christodoulou and Kappelin (2020) found that a modal shift from road to SSS could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 20% in certain European transport corridors.

Challenges and Limitations
1. Infrastructure and Port Efficiency
The effectiveness of SSS in reducing carbon emissions depends on the availability and efficiency of port infrastructure. Congestion, delays, and inefficient handling of cargo can negate the emissions savings achieved by SSS. Investments in port infrastructure and the optimization of port operations are necessary to fully realize the potential of SSS in reducing carbon emissions (Dulebenets, 2018).

2. Market and Policy Barriers
The adoption of SSS faces various market and policy barriers. These include a lack of harmonized regulations across European countries, insufficient incentives for shippers to switch from road to sea transport, and the need for more competitive pricing (Zis et al., 2021). Overcoming these barriers requires coordinated efforts from policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the maritime community.

Conclusion
Short sea shipping has the potential to play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions in the European maritime sector. Its lower emissions per tonne-kilometer, the potential for alternative fuels and technologies, and the promotion of modal shift and intermodality make SSS an attractive solution for decarbonizing the sector. However, challenges related to infrastructure, port efficiency, and market and policy barriers must be addressed to fully realize its potential. As the European maritime sector strives to meet the IMO’s ambitious emissions reduction targets, SSS should be prioritized as a key strategy for achieving a more sustainable and low-carbon future.

References:
Balcombe, P., Brierley, J., Lewis, C., Skatvedt, L., Speirs, J., Hawkes, A., & Staffell, I. (2019). How to decarbonise international shipping: Options for fuels, technologies and policies. Energy Conversion and Management, 182, 72-88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2018.12.080

Christodoulou, A., & Kappelin, H. (2020). Determinant factors for the development of short sea shipping in the Eastern Mediterranean. Sustainability, 12(21), 8880. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218880

Comer, B., Chen, C., Stolz, D., & Rutherford, D. (2019). Rotors and bubbles: Route-based assessment of innovative technologies to reduce ship fuel consumption and emissions. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 74, 276-293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2019.08.004

Dulebenets, M. A. (2018). A comprehensive multi-objective optimization model for the vessel scheduling problem in liner shipping. International Journal of Production Economics, 196, 293-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2017.12.004

European Environment Agency. (2021). Greenhouse gas emissions from transport in Europe. https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/transport-emissions-of-greenhouse-gases/transport-emissions-of-greenhouse-gases-12

Eurostat. (2021). Short sea shipping of goods – Statistics Explained. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Short_sea_shipping_of_goods

Hjelle, H. M., & Fridell, E. (2020). When is short sea shipping environmentally competitive? In K. Cullinane (Ed.), Environmental Issues in Supply Chain Management (pp. 123-141). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37414-4_8

International Maritime Organization. (2018). Initial IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships. https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/KnowledgeCentre/IndexofIMOResolutions/MEPCDocuments/MEPC.304(72).pdf

Zis, T. P., Psaraftis, H. N., & Panagakos, G. (2021). Green short sea shipping: Framing a business case. In H. N. Psaraftis (Ed.), Sustainable Shipping (pp. 107-136). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69325-3_6