Japanese National Projects for Global Environmetal Protection of the Maritime Sector

Abstract

 MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan) is carrying out two national projects to protect the global environment from GHG (green house gas) and harmful emissions of the maritime sector. In regard to the GHG and under consideration of the increasing global trend in transportation, drastic reductions in fuel consumption by traveled kilometer and ton cargo have to be achieved to minimize CO2 emissions. This project is named ‘Marine Environment Initiative’ and carried out during 2009-2012. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced new emission regulations for marine engines that will drastically limit NOx emission in designated Emission Control Areas (Tier 3). The project to clear the Tier 3 is named ‘Super Clean Marine Diesel’ and is completed this year (2007-2011). Many Japanese companies, national institutes and universities are making substantial efforts in these projects to break through the problems. Additionally, a feasibility study on the natural gas fuelled ship that emits less CO2 and clear the Tier 3 simultaneously is introduced.