Shell, MSC partner to decarbonise shipping industry
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company MSC) has agreed to work with Shell to accelerate the decarbonisation of the global shipping sector.
The long-term memorandum of understanding will help MSC and Shell to play ‘enhanced roles’ in the energy transformation of shipping, developing innovative technologies and fuel solutions.
The companies plan to develop a range of safe, sustainable and competitive technologies that can reduce emissions from existing assets and help to enable a net-zero emissions future of shipping. Options include progressing from fossil-based LNG to bio-LNG or synthetic variants.
“MSC’s efforts to decarbonise include strong partnerships with a range of companies across the industry,” said Bud Darr, EVP of maritime policy and government affairs at MSC.
“This partnership with Shell is a great example of the type of commitment that is needed to catalyse low-carbon solutions for the shipping sector.
“To reach the ultimate goal of complete decarbonisation, we must look at a set of solutions. We need significant advances in research and development and fuel development.
“MSC welcomes partnerships like this with Shell that are designed to facilitate cross-sector information sharing and prove how collaboration is key in defining the best pathway to a net-zero future.”
Shell and MSC have collaborated on projects over the last 10 years, including bunkering biofuels and trialling ultra-low sulphur fuels.
The partners continue to envisage a range of fuel solutions in the route to a net-zero future and are also exploring options such as hydrogen-derived fuels and the use of methanol as a marine fuel. Both firms have been exploring the potential benefits of progressing from fossil LNG to bio-LNG or synthetic variants.
Together, the partners will explore opportunities for MSC to use LNG in its fleet, as the lowest emissions fuel widely available today. They will also consider future pathways, including methane-slip abatement technologies that will further bring down LNG’s emissions.
Melissa Williams, president of Shell Marine, said: “Shell wants to play a central role in the transition to net zero. Partnering with our customers to develop new technologies and fuels will help accelerate progress.
“Combining MSC’s experience as one of the world’s largest shipping companies with Shell’s expertise as a global energy supplier with help bring about effective solutions for this vital part of the world economy.”
The long-term memorandum of understanding will help MSC and Shell to play ‘enhanced roles’ in the energy transformation of shipping, developing innovative technologies and fuel solutions.
The companies plan to develop a range of safe, sustainable and competitive technologies that can reduce emissions from existing assets and help to enable a net-zero emissions future of shipping. Options include progressing from fossil-based LNG to bio-LNG or synthetic variants.
“MSC’s efforts to decarbonise include strong partnerships with a range of companies across the industry,” said Bud Darr, EVP of maritime policy and government affairs at MSC.
“This partnership with Shell is a great example of the type of commitment that is needed to catalyse low-carbon solutions for the shipping sector.
“To reach the ultimate goal of complete decarbonisation, we must look at a set of solutions. We need significant advances in research and development and fuel development.
“MSC welcomes partnerships like this with Shell that are designed to facilitate cross-sector information sharing and prove how collaboration is key in defining the best pathway to a net-zero future.”
Shell and MSC have collaborated on projects over the last 10 years, including bunkering biofuels and trialling ultra-low sulphur fuels.
The partners continue to envisage a range of fuel solutions in the route to a net-zero future and are also exploring options such as hydrogen-derived fuels and the use of methanol as a marine fuel. Both firms have been exploring the potential benefits of progressing from fossil LNG to bio-LNG or synthetic variants.
Together, the partners will explore opportunities for MSC to use LNG in its fleet, as the lowest emissions fuel widely available today. They will also consider future pathways, including methane-slip abatement technologies that will further bring down LNG’s emissions.
Melissa Williams, president of Shell Marine, said: “Shell wants to play a central role in the transition to net zero. Partnering with our customers to develop new technologies and fuels will help accelerate progress.
“Combining MSC’s experience as one of the world’s largest shipping companies with Shell’s expertise as a global energy supplier with help bring about effective solutions for this vital part of the world economy.”
