China’s Largest Ports Set To Establish Green Shipping Corridors
Feasibility of Green Shipping Corridors Along China's Coastal Routes Explored
The possibility of creating green shipping corridors along China’s coastal routes is highlighted in a recent research by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The study focusses on whether it is feasible to power ships without requiring refuelling while on a voyage utilising renewable energy sources such ammonia, hydrogen, methanol, or batteries.
Three major routes are highlighted in the research as viable options for these green corridors: one intraregional route inside the Yangtze River Delta and two interregional routes linking the Pearl River Delta and the Bo Sea. These routes, which pass via important ports like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Tianjin, may be a major factor in the marine industry’s reduction of emissions.
The study estimates that powering zero-emission vessels along these routes would require substantial quantities of renewable marine fuels, such as 6,000 tonnes of ammonia or methanol, or 900 tonnes of renewable hydrogen. However, the high costs of renewable hydrogen, expected to reach $7.60/kg by 2030, pose a challenge. Major policy interventions are necessary to make these green corridors economically viable, with the goal of reducing costs by 32% by 2050.
Despite the challenges, the study underscores the importance of continued research and policy support to fully realize the potential of green shipping corridors. It also notes that domestic routes may offer advantages due to more streamlined stakeholder involvement, making them a crucial focus for future developments in sustainable maritime practices.
