The shipping industry is taking admirable steps to switch to less polluting fuels, even claiming “zero emissions” ships are on the horizon in a few years. It’s a welcome change and much needed change.

Let’s take a look at what it takes to produce some of those currently available and affordable alternatives to petroleum. Turns out it’s a process, not a magic bullet, as we transition to a less polluting way to get around. Ships are already complying with international rules implemented in 2020 that reduced air pollution. But continued progress is welcome as we seek to reduce the burden we place on our planet.