Currently, there are different means of transporting goods around the world, such as rail, land and air transport. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Transport (UNCTAD), 90% of world trade is transported by sea, and this mode has great advantages such as the economic cost and the versatility of the cargoes that can be included.
Descarbonisation of the maritime sector
One of the new challenges and trends that the logistics sector has to adapt to in order to be able to offer a competitive offer to environmental demands is the decarbonisation of fleets. The current paradigm has to change and seek emission-free transport thanks to the implementation of production models in accordance with the international agreements dictated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Some of the objectives that this institution aims to achieve are to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and by 70% in 2050 for all international maritime transport.
Operinter is a logistics operator that aims to reduce polluting emissions in the transport of goods. Moreover, as part of the Alonso Group, it is constantly working on the creation of alternative biofuels such as green hydrogen to replace fossil fuels in truck fleets. The values defended by the company are innovation and renewal of the sector, promoting new projects that improve sustainability and pollutant emissions in order to achieve the objectives of sustainable development (OSD).
New energy sources
To mitigate the climate impact of freight traffic, shipping companies are developing various alternative propulsion systems to fossil fuels, which currently generate millions of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The biofuels that are being developed and implemented in some fleets are Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or green hydrogen (H2), the latter created by electrolysis between two hydrogen atoms.
On the other hand, and in line with the trend towards maritime freight transport with fewer emissions, new container ships that are competitive and run on electricity are beginning to be designed. These proposals, for which the models have not yet been announced, but which will mark the future.
These are some of the new developments in today’s maritime transport, projects aimed at the search for and implementation of sustainability, as well as adapting to a changing world trade that is advancing by leaps and bounds.