In a 26-page report published Tuesday, oil major Royal Dutch
Shell suggested that shipping has a hydrogen-powered future as the sector moves
to decarbonize its operations.
"We believe liquid hydrogen to be advantaged over other
potential zero-emissions fuels for shipping, therefore giving a higher
likelihood of success," Shell said. "[It is] attracting interest as a
potential fuel for power and land-based transport and as a possible feedstock
for industry. These other sectors could help develop and pay for some of the
production and distribution infrastructure [and] the shipping sector should
stand ready to capitalize on that development."
While technical work on its use as a marine fuel is not yet
complete, Shell believes that safe designs can be engineered. Perhaps best of
all, hydrogen could be used in "fuel-agnostic" fuel cells, which
could be installed today and run on LNG until hydrogen is available.
In a recent report, class society DNV GL endorsed
renewably-sourced ammonia and methanol as the likeliest future marine fuels.
However, Shell discounted the prospects of ammonia due to its toxicity,
emissions and its high ignition energy. The oil major also suggested that
methanol would likely not gain traction because its "pathway to zero
emissions is considered less efficient than other zero-emissions fuel
options."
Likewise, it counted out biofuels, as it believes that land
and air transport sectors will likely be able to pay more than shipping can for
available supplies. As for nuclear power, it concluded that the negative public
opinion on reactors would likely limit widespread adoption.
Fuel cells are the key to Shell's hydrogen-powered future,
as they are potentially a more fuel-efficient option. As an example, the
solid-oxide technology fuel cells ordered for the cruise ship MSC Europa will
develop electrical efficiency of 60 percent. Fuel cells can be up to 80 percent
efficient if their waste heat is captured and used, according to Shell. By
comparison, the world's most fuel-efficient low-speed diesel has a maximum
energy conversion efficiency of 54 percent.
Shell also advocated for high-level steps towards
decarbonization, calling on IMO to adopt a clear trajectory to net-zero GHG
emissions by 2050, along with energy intensity reduction targets. The position
is twice as ambitious as IMO's current target for 2050, and it reflects Shell's
internal aim to reach net-zero carbon emissions by midcentury.
Shell also called for regulatory policies encouraging uptake
of LNG, biofuels and carbon offsets on an interim basis. The firm is the
world's largest LNG commodity trader, and it is a member of the LNG marine fuel
advocacy group SEA-LNG.