The report, which analyzes boats up to 24 metres, is clear in its indeterminacy. It only suggests possible routes to reduce “up to 90%” without compromising the distance a boat can travel or its performance.

We tried to understand what suggestions are contained in the report, useful for rethinking the world of pleasure boating when there are, because they will arrive, more restrictive regulations compared to the absolute freedom that reigns today.

The main points of the nautical decarbonization path according to "Decarbonization paths for the recreational boating industry" are:

– Cleaner fuels immediately. There is talk of converting the current petroleum-derived fuel with “drop in” renewable fuels (fuel obtained by converting a plethora of types of biomass into bio-oil similar to crude oil, ed.).

In Northern European countries they have been a reality for some time. Nothing changes for current internal combustion engines, there is no need for any modification. But these fuels, which are produced using renewable energy, are currently practically not distributed in Mediterranean countries.

– Hydrogen, a utopia? Hydrogen is an emerging technology and another potential “fuel” perfect for reducing carbon emissions from boats. But serious and consistent industrial production of hydrogen is so far away that it remains a beautiful project without practical consistency. Without forgetting that it is not just a question of fuel, the hydrogen engine is still far from being mass produced.

– Electric propulsion, yes but… Research dispels some myths regarding electric propulsion. For example, it says that low-use vessel types with battery electric systems are unlikely to produce a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the internal combustion engine. Also, regarding batteries, it is important to note that battery performance decreases over time, regardless of usage. With a negative impact, especially on boats that have a long life but are not used frequently. These require several battery replacements over their lifetime. And used batteries are a huge source of pollution.

– Hybrid solution, ideal. The report makes a clear choice, the best for decarbonisation is the hybrid solution, electric/internal combustion, with the addition of the use of renewable fuels. They offer the greatest potential to reduce carbon emissions from boats in certain scenarios, i.e. boats used for longer periods of time and for longer distances. As a result, hybrid technology offers the greatest emission reduction potential for vessels used for charter and other high-use environments.

Cleaner boating, when will the incentives arrive?

The research highlights a sore point. Why are there no incentives for recreational boating to achieve decarbonisation, as happens in other sectors, such as the automotive sector? The proposed recipe is that of tax credits in research and development and investments to improve the density of electric batteries and hydrogen research that can be applied to the marine environment.