Turning Over a New Leaf – Bunkerspot - April/May 2025
Steve Simms looks at how and why bunker suppliers and traders could take a leading
role in promoting the use of onboard carbon capture.
Despite the push for "green" fuels, Shipboard Carbon Capture Systems (SCCS) are
being left behind in regulatory and industry focus—even though they are crucial for
reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a fossil fuel-dominated maritime future.
Green fuels alone won't cut it: The global maritime fleet will still rely heavily (65–75%)
on fossil fuels by 2040. Even with "green" fuels, emissions may remain at 2023 levels.
SCCS enables continued use of conventional fuels (e.g., HFO, LNG) while capturing
CO₂ emissions. It’s a mature, scalable solution inspired by nature—like leaves in
photosynthesis. Systems include Amine-based systems that use ammonia derivatives
to absorb CO₂., cryogenic systems that freeze CO₂ for storage and carbon
mineralization that converts CO₂ into solid carbonates.
SCCS face challenges including lack of regulatory recognition (e.g., unlike sulfur
scrubbers). Infrastructure for CO₂ offloading is underdeveloped. EU’s regulatory focus
on “well-to-wake” ignores post-combustion CO₂ capture.
But captured CO₂ can be repurposed for dry ice, synthetic fuels (methanol, ethanol),
and more, and could become a revenue stream and reduce emissions trading
compliance costs. Bunker traders and suppliers must educate customers and
regulators about SCCS, offer incentives, certified fuels, and bundled support packages,
and advocate for regulatory frameworks that include SCCS as a compliance method.
Regulators should recognize SCCS as a “reasonably equivalent means” for emissions
reduction and provide incentives, just as they did for sulfur scrubbers. SCCS is not a
radical innovation—it's a natural, logical solution akin to how leaves capture carbon. As
the industry sails toward 2040, SCCS should not be left “in the wake.”
