Decarbonizing Shipping Track

AI & Data enabled CO2 Reduction

Global trade has various actors within the value chain. Data is sitting in silos across the value chain. The challenge is to extract value out of this data on a real time basis to effect sound decision making.

The magnitude of data is growing exponentially which combined with Machine Learning and other AI categories open new pathways to optimize the global supply chain.

Areas we are looking to explore with startups:

Fleet route optimization
Fleet utilization
Port calling
Virtual arrival
Holistic view of vessels performance using data from different systems onboard the vessel
Using data from vessel voyage to inform on weather patterns in real-time
Berth and consignment planning
Demand and supply prediction to increase full supply chain flow and reduce CO2 “waste” in the process
Digital twins enabling better design and planning of port and vessel operations towards CO2 optimization
5G connectivity allowing for real time optimization from shore towards CO2 reduction

Fuel & Fuel Efficiency

Investment into R&D in fuel additives, new fuels and the associated supply chains and infrastructure is rapidly growing and multiple new solutions are emerging inside and outside the industry.

Ultimately the sector will have to identify sustainable fuel options to reach CO2 neutrality.

Areas we are looking to explore with startups:

Hydrogen (storage, adoption and safety)
Ammonium and Nitrogen
Fuel additives
Electricity as alternative during port calling and for ancillary operations
Nuclear powered ships

Infrastructure, Ships & Assets Efficiency to lower CO2

The efficiency of assets from port infrastructure and equipment to vessel design, retrofitting and means to improve fuel efficiency is estimated to enable > 15% reduction in emissions.

Many innovative solutions are emerging in this space.

Areas we are looking to explore with startups:

Alternative energy sources such as kites and other renewable energy sources for ports and vessels
Propeller, vessel flow efficiencies
Higher output from combustion
New vessel designs (including electricity and fuel cell powered vessels)
Sensor technology to optimize fuel consumption
Operational “behaviour” (e.g. how captains and key operations personnel are enabled and incentivised to optimize for CO2 reduction)
Vessel supply with 3D printing and drones to save time in port (or avoid calling all together)

Carbon Capture & Storage, Offsetting and Trading

CSS technologies are being heavily funded by leading corporations globally. The backdrop simply being that we are now hitting record level CO2 ppm in the atmosphere and going neutral will not be enough – ultimately every company and consumer will be impacted by taxes and other government means to also help lower CO2 ppm substantially from current levels.

Simultaneously governments, corporations and tech startups and companies are working on hundreds of different solutions to enable a globally more efficient “carbon market” allowing for higher impact from stakeholders across (it is estimated 1 unit of $ outside the shipping sector has x5 the impact it has in shipping).

Areas we are looking to explore with startups:

At source CSS (vessels)
Using CO2 in new products or materials or converting into fuel
“Intra Industry” carbon trading / offsetting. A shipping CO2 exchange
Industry mandated and regulated CSS projects
CSS at port facilities
Identify economically viable technologies to capture CO2 on ports & vessels

CO2 Transparency, Tracking and Provenance

Without proper transparency, tracking and provenance it is impossible to incentives and penalize stakeholders inside and outside the industry to reduce CO2.

The impact is that the “good stewards” and most progressive players lose out and it leaves room for fraudulent behavior.

Further those looking to create a competitive edge and monetize their investments into CO2 reduction towards customers or regulators will depend on proper provenance.

Finally effective optimization of CO2 will require much better and live data.

Areas we are looking to explore with startups:

Satellite and sensor enabled CO2 tracking
Blockchain solutions to provide complete provenance
Automation of carbon footprint reporting
CO2 “labelling” of assets and products
Lifetime CO2 asset transparency

Business model innovation to drive ROI from CO2 reduction

The industry is about to embark on a similar downward spiral in regards to CO2 reductions as it did 20 years ago in a mad dash to reduce costs which ultimately meant the industry simply shrunk and benefits went to consumers not the industry.

This time around the industry MUST find ways (as many other industries have) to monetize CO2 towards customers of the industry the customers of their customers.

Simultaneously there is large room for improvements in more efficient orchestration of freight and many new models emerging around that.

Areas we are looking to explore with startups:

Successful business models applied in other industries to monetize CO2 reduction
Utilising CO2 data for new businesses
Partner with industries that most benefit from CO2 reduction
Green freight premium models
Freight orchestration
Switching transport mode from land to sea or air to sea (less polluting freight means).

Part of Trade & Transport Impact

Decarbonizing Shipping

Pathways to reducing CO2

AI & Data enabled CO2 Reduction

Fuel & Fuel Efficiency

Infrastructure, Ships & Assets Efficiency to lower CO2

Carbon Capture & Storage, Offsetting and Trading

CO2 Transparency, Tracking and Provenance

Business model innovation to drive ROI from CO2 reduction

Can your solution facilitate the leap towards greener shipping?