AS THE maritime sector faces increasing pressure to mitigate its greenhouse gas emissions, advancements in alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia and biofuels are gaining more attention as these fuels can provide energy for the industry without the fallout of high-carbon emissions.

At the Caribbean sustainable energy conference held by the TT Energy Chamber on June 2, a panel of experts in the area including Roger Strevens, director of Methanex’s low carbon, regulation and advocacy department; Dr Tristan Smith of the UCL Energy Institute; commercial manager for Paria Fuel Trading Lydia Dindial; and chairman of the decarbonisation taskforce at the Energy Chamber, Dr Dale Ramlakhan all agreed that TT continued to be in the perfect position to capitalise on the changing tides in the global maritime sector.

Smith, who has been working on decarbonising the shipping industry for 15 years, said there was a shift in the industry toward alternative fuel, driven by regulations for the shipping industry.