Maritime Decarbonization: Can We Really Make It Happen?
Abstract
Decarbonizing the maritime sector presents unique challenges. Ships require substantial amounts of energy, and finding suitable alternatives to conventional marine fuels is far from straightforward. But what makes the maritime sector so difficult to decarbonize, and what solutions are available?
This webinar will explore the specific characteristics of the maritime sector, its fuel consumption, and the potential of alternative marine fuels and other decarbonization strategies. Particular attention will be given to fuel properties, energy density, and carbon intensity, while challenging some common myths and misconceptions surrounding alternative fuels. Examples from applied research projects will illustrate how different solutions are being investigated and evaluated in practice.
Bio
Mareen Thiboutot Rioux holds a PhD in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Bayreuth, Germany, where her research focused on nanostructured and plasmonic surfaces. She has also been an Associate Professor at Université Laval since December 2025. Before joining Innovation maritime (IMAR), she led a research and development team in Germany, specializing in thermoplastic materials and polymer compound development.
At IMAR, she leads and coordinates research projects focused on alternative fuels and the decarbonization of the maritime sector. Her work includes the development of a methanol–diesel blend for marine applications and co-leading a Canada-wide initiative to identify, characterize, and test promising bio-based marine fuels. Through these activities, she has established a strong network of collaborations with shipowners, fuel suppliers and distributors, ports, and other stakeholders across the maritime sector.