Maritime shipping is of vital importance for the global economy and is an indispensable link between the Netherlands and other economies. CE Delft has decades of experience with research and consultancy on climate and environmental policy for ocean shipping.
Although maritime shipping is the most energy-efficient form of transport, it accounts for some 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is a major emitter of air pollutants. Given the targets set out in the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal, these greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced to zero over the next few decades. This will require new types of fuel, involving substantial renewable energy inputs for production and possibly new infrastructure for delivery to vessels, as well as on-board modifications. These changes will not happen of their own accord, but require insight, planning and policy.
Several EU measures are in place to reduce GHG emissions from maritime shipping. CE Delft has supported the European Parliament and the European Commission in both the development and implementation of these measures. This has included assessing the first EU ETS proposal for maritime transport and supporting the impact assessment for FuelEU Maritime, as well as supporting the implementation of the EU MRV and FuelEU Maritime regulations.
For the European Commission, CE Delft has carried out an in-depth analysis of worldwide and European measures to improve ships’ fuel efficiency and induce the shipping industry to switch to renewable fuels. For a number of years we’ve been advising the German Transport ministry on regulation of emissions and energy efficiency by the International Maritime Organisation, IMO.
CE Delft advises on policies that are both efficacious and cost-effective, while ensuring other sustainability objectives are not hampered and the shipping industry retains due scope for developing and innovating on its own terms.
With its expertise on both the policy context and economic and environmental aspects, CE Delft is well-positioned to advise parties across the board.
CE Delft presents its analyses in other forms besides reports. We’ve developed the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), for example, for quantifying the footprint of individual vessels. This can be used for differentiation of harbour dues, as an incentive for cleaner shipping. Today, 30 ports are using the ESI for this purpose.