Understanding Green Shipping Corridors
What are green corridors?
A green corridor is a designated trade route or transport pathway developed to promote environmentally sustainable practices, with a focus on adopting low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels. In simple terms, this means making it easier and cheaper for shipping companies to get green fuels on board. The busiest ports in the world are signing up to these initiatives, namely Shanghai, Singapore, Rotterdam, Antwerp & Los Angeles. These ports account for over 90% of all consumer goods shipped and a significant portion of the shipping industry’s CO2 footprint.
Driving sustainability in global shipping
Green corridors actively promote the uptake of green or low CO2 fuels through a combination of infrastructure development, policy support, collaborative partnerships, and pilot projects. They focus on building and upgrading refueling and bunkering facilities, as well as introducing electrification and shore power options at ports to support the use of low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels.
Governments and international organizations provide financial incentives, subsidies, and carbon pricing mechanisms that make these fuels more economically viable. Public-private partnerships and industry coalitions collaborate within these corridors to establish infrastructure, standardize practices, and scale up the adoption of green fuels. Additionally, green corridors serve as testbeds for pilot projects, demonstrating the viability of new fuel technologies and operational practices.
Global port alliances
Several major ports are linking their green fuel initiatives, including green methanol, to the development of green corridors. Notable examples include the Rotterdam-Singapore green corridor, a collaboration between Europe and Asia, and the North Sea-Baltic corridor involving the Antwerp-Gothenburg. The Port of Gothenburg is part of Scandinavian initiatives, and the Port of Vancouver is exploring a West Coast corridor in North America. These corridors are designed to promote the use of sustainable fuels like green methanol, helping reduce emissions on key shipping routes globally.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the Port of Gothenburg have agreed to establish a green shipping corridor aimed at reducing emissions and promoting sustainable maritime transport between Sweden and Belgium. Enhancing port electrification and developing infrastructure for multi type green fuel bunkering. This corridor, part of a broader partnership with North Sea Port and DFDS, aims to cut CO2 emissions by 328,000 tonnes annually, marking a significant step towards decarbonizing European maritime logistics. Both ports are also supporting those existing companies in developing infrastructure where methanol, as a marine fuel, plays a key role.
Evaluating green fuel options
Infrastructure and safety challenges
When considering the various green fuels being targeted by green corridors, several significant challenges emerge. One of the primary issues is the need for extensive infrastructure development. For example, hydrogen requires new infrastructure for production, storage, and distribution, including cryogenic or high-pressure systems, which are currently not widespread. Ammonia, while not producing CO2 when burned, presents challenges related to toxicity, handling safety, and the need for new bunkering infrastructure. Battery-powered ships, require a charging infrastructure at ports, which is still underdeveloped. Biofuels face the challenge related to limited sustainable feedstock, competition from other industries, and often require blending with fossil fuels, reducing their overall carbon savings.
Energy density concerns
Energy density is another major concern. Hydrogen and ammonia have lower energy densities compared to traditional marine fuels, necessitating larger storage volumes or more frequent refueling, which is impractical for long-haul shipping. Batteries, which are promising for short routes, have a low energy density, and are similarly impractical for large vessels that need to travel long distances.
Making the case for methanol
Advantages of methanol for shipping routes
Methanol emerges as particularly well-suited for green corridors due to its relatively established infrastructure, lower handling risks, and versatility. Unlike hydrogen and ammonia, which require significant new infrastructure and present challenges in storage and safety, methanol can be stored and handled using existing technologies. This makes it more practical for immediate implementation along green corridors, where the rapid adoption of sustainable practices is crucial.
Moreover, methanol’s higher energy density compared to hydrogen and ammonia means that ships can travel longer distances without the need for frequent refuelling, making it ideal for long-haul routes that many green corridors will serve. As ports along these corridors are already collaborating to establish the necessary infrastructure, methanol’s compatibility with existing systems allows for quicker and more cost-effective deployment.
Accelerating decarbonization
Green corridors like the Rotterdam-Singapore route and the North Sea-Baltic corridor are designed to reduce emissions on key shipping routes. By focusing on methanol, these corridors can achieve significant reductions in carbon emissions more quickly than if they were to rely on fuels like hydrogen or ammonia, which still face significant technological and logistical barriers. This positions methanol as a bridge fuel, helping to drive the decarbonization of shipping in the near term while other green fuels continue to develop and mature.
Conclusion: The strategic choice of green methanol for sustainable shipping
In summary, the choice of methanol for green corridors is driven by its ability to meet the immediate requirements of decarbonization with fewer barriers compared to other green fuels. This makes it a strategic choice for ports and shipping companies aiming to lead the way in sustainable maritime transport through these dedicated low-emission routes.
Content contributor
Joost Weterings, Commercial Director, Liquid Wind