A Decarbonization Plan for Great Lakes Shipping

GSGP and a diverse research team recently began exploring future energy options for Great Lakes St. Lawrence shipping. The research project is funded by the U.S. Maritime Administration, and the team includes the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), among others. The team is working to identify and evaluate alternative fuel and propulsion technologies with the potential to reduce emissions and improve the sustainability of the region’s shipping industry. With critical insight from regional organizations like the Lake Carriers’ Association and the American Great Lakes Ports Association, the project aims to develop a comprehensive strategy for transitioning the region’s shipping industry and infrastructure to a cleaner, more sustainable future. This study will better position the region to compete for the $3 billion granted to U.S. ports for electrification through the Inflation Reduction Act.

In a separate project, GSGP and Innovation Maritime (IMAR) are currently working on the second phase of a study exploring how biofuel use could reduce shipping costs and emissions of the fleet on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence. As part of this work, GSGP’s David Naftzger and John Schmidt recently visited Rimouski, Québec, one of Canada’s premier hubs for maritime technology research and development. The GSGP team met with Rimouski-based organizations including IMAR, Réseau Québec Maritime, Technopole Maritime du Québec and OpDAQ. As GSGP and its partners explore decarbonization strategies, cross-border partnership and collaboration will continue to play an important role