South Africa: fuelling the future of shipping

The report assesses South Africa's capacity to become a zero carbon bunkering hub by leveraging its abundant renewable energy potential to produce green hydrogen and ammonia. It identifies these fuels as the most suitable for large commercial vessels, while batteries are preferred for smaller port services. The document argues that this transition could attract between 34.3 and 49.2 billion Rand in infrastructure investment by 2030, support a just transition for workers in the coal sector, and create new export markets for green commodities.

• Green hydrogen and green ammonia are identified as the most suitable propulsion solutions for large commercial vessels, such as tankers, containers, and bulk carriers, while direct and onboard electrification are best for small port service vessels.
• South Africa possesses significant renewable energy potential, with a theoretical estimate of approximately 48,000 TWh per year from solar and onshore wind alone, which far exceeds the projected demand for both the national grid and zero carbon shipping fuels.
• To support a 5% adoption of zero carbon vessel technologies by 2030, South Africa would require approximately 3.87 TWh/year of renewable generation, potentially attracting infrastructure investment between 34.3 and 49.2 billion Rand.
• The transition to zero carbon shipping fuels can facilitate a 'just and equitable transition' by creating green jobs across various skill levels to replace declining employment in coal mining and coal-based electricity generation.
• South Africa's geography and trade links—particularly with China, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and India—position it to become a global bunkering hub and an exporter of green hydrogen and green steel.
• The report identifies three specific ports with distinct opportunities: Saldanha Bay for ore exporting and green steel; the Port of Ngqura (Coega) for container shipping and low-carbon manufacturing; and Richards Bay as a site to transition from a coal export hub to a sustainable fuel hub.
• Blue hydrogen and ammonia are excluded from the primary focus because current carbon capture and storage technologies are deemed immature, with lifecycle emissions estimated between 39% and 110% of diesel, often failing to meet the 50% reduction threshold.

APA

World Economic Forum (2021). South Africa: fuelling the future of shipping. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/South_Africa_fueling_the_future_of_shipping.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. South Africa: fuelling the future of shipping. 2021. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/South_Africa_fueling_the_future_of_shipping.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=South Africa: fuelling the future of shipping |date=2021 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/South_Africa_fueling_the_future_of_shipping.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2021south, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{South Africa: fuelling the future of shipping}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2021}, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/South_Africa_fueling_the_future_of_shipping.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }