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PTDrivers to accelerate the decarbonization of the maritime-port sector
According to the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report (AR6) (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), the transport sector was responsible for 8.7 GtCO₂-eq in 2019, which represents 23% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions. Within the sector, maritime transport accounted for 11% of these emissions, while road transport, aviation and railways accounted for 70%, 12% and 1%, respectively.
In the context of the sector’s prospects for increased emissions, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) indicates that between 2012 and 2018 these emissions increased by 9.6% and, without additional action, could grow by 50% by 2050. The main source of these emissions is related to the consumption of fossil fuels, such as bunker oil and marine diesel.
From this perspective, in 2023, the IMO published its strategy to reduce GHG emissions and, in April 2025, declared its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 in order to contribute to the global goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, according to the Paris Agreement.
Risks and challenges
Port facilities, as they are located in coastal areas, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels, storm surges, intense storms, floods, and extreme events. According to the IPCC, the increase in global temperature is directly linked to the intensification of these phenomena, with projections that large coastal cities could be submerged if there is no urgent action.
In addition to physical risks, ports face operational and economic challenges, such as disruptions to logistics chains, damage to critical infrastructure, and increased insurance and maintenance costs. As the World Bank highlighted in 2023, port resilience is essential to protect global trade and the security of food supply.
Ships, on the other hand, face the need for advances in research related to the development of low-carbon alternative fuels, batteries, hybrid engines, technology for digitalization and automation. In addition, navigation is also affected by extreme weather events, which can cause damage to vessel structures to interruption or change of route, resulting in increased operating costs and chain interruptions, as observed in 2023 in the Northern region of Brazil.
Decarbonization of the maritime-port sector
Given the challenges exposed above, some drivers can accelerate the transformation necessary to contribute to the decarbonization of the sector. In the case of ports, investments in adaptive infrastructure, such as pier elevation, smart drainage, and storm surge barriers are essential to ensure operational continuity and protect strategic assets.
Another necessary action is the reduction of emissions associated with port and logistics operations, through the electrification of equipment, the use of renewable energies, and the digitalization of processes. Ports such as Rotterdam and Los Angeles already operate with full electrification targets.
Additionally, the implementation of electric power supply systems (Cold Ironing) to moored ships is relevant. This avoids the use of auxiliary diesel engines, reducing CO₂, NOₓ and particulate matter emissions.
Accelerating the development of low-carbon fuels, such as green methanol, HVO, ammonia, biofuels (biodiesel and ethanol) and hydrogen is also essential to achieve climate neutrality goals, as is developing an adequate infrastructure to offer low-carbon fuels to ships.
As an adaptation action, the use of technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence, sensors, and blockchain allows optimizing routes, reducing waiting times, minimizing energy consumption, and ensuring real-time weather forecasting for decision-making. In addition, the use of materials that are more resistant to storms and corrosion help maintain a resilient infrastructure in situations of extreme weather events.
Opportunities
In addition to the risks and challenges mentioned, it is important to evaluate the topic from the point of view of opportunities. The port infrastructure has great potential to become a green hydrogen producer, especially in Brazil, with the supply of renewable energy. The production of green hydrogen is facilitated by the possibility of supplying energy through offshore wind plants and the supply of the fuel and its derivatives is directed to companies installed in the area, to vessels that aim to use alternative fuels or for export in green maritime corridors.
References
World Bank Group: Sustainable Development in Shipping and Ports IMO – International Maritime Organization
IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
ICCT – International Council on Clean Transportation
UNCTAD – United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Review of Maritime Transport)
Higor Turcheto
