Sustainable maritime tranport: heading towards the decarbonization of global trade

Sustainable maritime transport is now one of the major challenges of the global ecological transition. Faced with new environmental requirements, this industry must fundamentally rethink its practices to reduce its carbon footprint while maintaining its essential function in international trade.

An industry facing its environmental responsibilities

The maritime sector bears significant responsibility for the global carbon footprint. 2022 figures reveal that international maritime transport generates about 2% of global energy-related CO2 emissions (source: iea). This proportion, while seemingly modest, represents a considerable volume in the context of global trade.

Historical analysis of the sector reveals an almost absolute dependence on fossil fuels. Petroleum fuels traditionally satisfy more than 99% of the energy needs of international maritime transport. This contrasts sharply with the timid adoption of alternatives: biofuels cover less than 0.5% of the sector's global energy demand in 2022.

This energy reality explains why the transition to sustainable maritime transport is a priority issue. The International Maritime Organization has revised its ambitions, now aligning its emission reduction targets with those established by the Paris Agreement.

Regulatory commitment: an ambitious strategy

The International Maritime Organization took a decisive step in 2023 with the adoption of a revised strategy on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships. This new approach provides a structuring framework for guiding the sector towards genuinely decarbonized sustainable maritime transport.

The main objective sets an ambitious course: to achieve net-zero GHG emissions from international maritime transport by or around 2050. To structure this approach, the strategy establishes demanding intermediate milestones. By 2030, the sector will have to reduce its emissions by at least 20%, with an ambition raised to 30%. The 2040 target provides for a minimum reduction of 70%, with an objective set at 80%, these percentages being calculated relative to 2008 levels.

At the same time, improving energy efficiency is a central pillar. The strategy aims to reduce carbon intensity by at least 40% by 2030. A particularly innovative challenge concerns the integration of technologies and fuels with zero or near-zero emissions, which will have to represent at least 5% of the energy used by 2030, with a target of 10%.

Implementation will rely on "medium-term measures" combining a technical component - focused on a standard relating to marine fuels - and an economic component based on an emissions pricing mechanism. The adoption of these measures is scheduled for autumn 2025, with entry into force planned for 2027.

The commitment of industry leaders: CMA CGM as an example

Sustainable maritime transport does not rely solely on international regulatory frameworks. Private players are also developing proactive strategies, with CMA CGM well illustrating this dynamic of commitment to sustainable maritime transport.

The French group has established a particularly ambitious roadmap: to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 and 80% by 2040, taking 2008 as a reference. These commitments are part of an overall vision aimed at carbon neutrality by 2050 for all of its operations.

2023 data reveal the scale of the challenge: CMA CGM reported total emissions of approximately 39.7 million tons of CO2 equivalent, distributed among direct emissions, those linked to energy consumed, and other indirect emissions from its value chain. This transparency in environmental reporting demonstrates the group's commitment to a sustainable maritime transport approach.

The company actively participates in several internationally recognized sustainability initiatives, such as the Carbon Disclosure Project and the UN Global Compact (https://unglobalcompact.org/participation/report/cop/detail/481282). This proactive approach earns it a score of 54 on the DitchCarbon index, a performance that exceeds the maritime industry average.

The technological revolution of alternative fuels

The transformation towards sustainable maritime transport relies heavily on the development of alternative fuels to conventional fossil fuels. Several sectors are emerging, each with specific technical and economic characteristics.

The evolution of naval orders illustrates this transition. A.P. Moller-Maersk, a major player in the sector, has announced significant orders for dual-fuel methanol-powered container ships. This initiative has inspired other giants such as CMA CGM, Cosco, and Cargill, revealing the concrete commitment of shipowners to sustainable maritime transport.

European perspectives paint a promising picture for synthetic fuels. Projections indicate that approximately 4% of European maritime transport could operate with these innovative fuels by 2030. The continent currently has a minimum of 17 projects dedicated exclusively to ships. If these initiatives reach their full operational capacity, they could satisfy the targeted proportion.

In this technological race, ammonia is emerging as the preferred solution for the long term, representing 77% of the potential volumes in European synthetic fuel projects. However, substantial technical obstacles remain, particularly concerning storage constraints.

Nevertheless, uncertainties hover over this dynamic. About two-thirds of European synthetic fuel production projects for the maritime sector risk being called into question, as suppliers hesitate to invest without sufficient guarantees on future demand.

Financial innovation serving the transition

Beyond technological advances, financial engineering is mobilizing to accelerate the transition to sustainable maritime transport. The main obstacle remains the prohibitive cost difference between green and fossil fuels, with the former costing 3 to 4 times more.

Faced with this economic challenge, the World Shipping Council has designed the Green Balance Mechanism, an innovative approach to bridge the price gap between fossil and green fuels, minimizing the overall costs of the transition.

The mechanism operates on an equalization principle: it applies a tax on fossil fuels and then redistributes these funds to green fuels to equalize average costs. The financial allocation is proportional to the emission reductions obtained over the entire life cycle of the fuel. This approach stimulates the adoption of the most virtuous solutions while encouraging investments in technologies that offer the best environmental performance.

Challenges and future prospects

Despite these encouraging advances, the road to sustainable maritime transport remains strewn with obstacles. The sector faces a classic dilemma of interdependence: e-fuel producers await firm commitments from shipowners before investing massively, while the latter prefer to wait for alternative fuels to become economically viable.

However, positive signals are multiplying. Technological innovation continues to progress, with more than 200 pilot and demonstration projects focused on zero-emission ship technologies.

Sustainable maritime transport is no longer an aspiration but an imperative necessity. Technologies are developing, commitments are materializing, and the first tangible results are emerging. The success of this transformation will determine not only the future of the maritime industry but also its essential contribution to the global fight against climate change.

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