A new integrated modeling approach has been used, combining fleet projections with simulated implementation of CO2 emission reduction measures towards 2030. The resulting emission trajectories show that stabilizing fleet emissions at current levels is attainable at moderate costs, in spite of the projected fleet growth up to 2030.

However, significant reductions beyond current levels seem difficult to achieve. If an absolute reduction in shipping emissions is the target, a significant boost in research and development is need to overcome barriers to accelerate the process of bringing novel technologies to the market, and to find those solutions that are yet to be imagined. This study discusses three wild card technologies, all of which have the potential to play some part in the future pathway to low carbon shipping.