Low-Carbon Development of Green Ships and Related Strategies

Abstract

Environmental pollution caused by shipping has attracted great attention from the international community in the recent years. International conventions and related documents regulating environmental pollution and reducing emissions from ships have been promulgated in succession, and the standards and regulations have become increasingly stringent. Green ships have become an inevitable trend for shipbuilding and shipping industries. This study first analyzes the initial International Maritime Organization strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, then introduces the development status of green ships in Norway, Japan, and the United Kingdom. We summarize the advantages of these countries in terms of policy guidance, technical direction, and international cooperation, and propose some suggestions while considering the development status of green ships in China. China should strengthen government leadership to formulate green ship development plans at the national and industrial levels, make technical breakthroughs to accelerate the market application of alternative fuels for ships; and encourage international cooperation while enhancing core competitiveness.