A review of progress leading to carbon-free shipping

Exhaust emissions from ships have been a burning issue for the maritime world. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has always been proactive in dealing with this matter. IMO works with many maritime community stakeholders, including Flag state, Port state, Classification societies, shipbuilders, ship owners, and engine manufacturers, to achieve an amicable solution to combat such major issues in the best interest of the maritime world. IMO’s top priority at present is to reduce the GreenHouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping. The target is to reduce GHG emissions by 50% in 2050 compared to the emissions figure of 2008. This paper aims to review the different strategies employed by diverse stakeholders of the maritime industry to achieve this ambitious GHG emissions reduction target, weigh its pros and cons, and provide recommendations to enhance the protection of the maritime environment.