[en] Despite being the least least polluting and most environmentally friendly way of transporting goods, nowadays maritime transport continues continues to use fossil fuels, mainly fuel and diesel, as the main source of power in the combustion of ship engines. This combustion generates several polluting gases that are emitted into the atmosphere and contribute both to the greenhouse effect and to the pollution of the environment in general, as well as the marine environment in particular. To combat this problem, different agreements and initiatives were put into operation, through consensus and international cooperation, in order to prevent and minimize the effects of air pollution caused by ships and, in turn, limit the sulfur content in the fuels used. In order to understand this evolution, reference is made to the different types of alternative fuels with which to combat this problem and achieve the criteria established by the different legislations since the sulfur content in the fuels used onboard began to be regulated by means of Directive 93/12/EEC of the Council of the European Communities up to the present time, in which the use of new low-emission fuels is already a reality, as is the growth of an industry that can cover the needs originating around to this transformation. After exposing the different types of fuels oriented towards the decarbonisation of maritime transport and the development of the applicable regulations, we will proceed with the exposition of the different aspects related to the implementation in the maritime sector of what is considered the most feasible alternative fuel in terms of technological maturity and availability: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). An intermediate solution whose main objective is to guide the industry towards zero emission alternatives with which to achieve the total decarbonisation of the sector. Finally, some examples of the main international and state projects carried out so far in relation to LNG will be presented, as well as those that are currently under development, and which will serve to present the evolution and future of fuel alternatives in the shipping industry.

[gl] Pese a ser o medio de transporte de mercancías menos contaminante e máis respetuoso co medio ambiente, a día de hoxe o transporte marítimo continúa utilizando combustibles fósiles, principalmente fuel e gasoil, como fonte principal de alimentación na combustión dos motores dos buques. Orixínase nesta combustión a emisión de diversos gases contaminantes que son liberados á atmosfera, contribuíndo así tanto ao efecto invernadoiro e á contaminación do medio ambiente en xeral, coma á do medio mariño en particular. Para facer fronte a esta problemática, puxéronse en marcha, por medio do consenso e cooperación internacional, diferentes acordos e iniciativas co fin de previr e minimizar os efectos da contaminación atmosférica orixinada polos buques e, á súa vez, limitar o contido de azufre nos combustibles empregados. Co fin de comprender esta evolución, faise referencia aos distintos tipos de combustibles alternativos cos que combater este problema e acadar os criterios establecidos polas diferentes lexislacións dende que se comezou a regularizar o contido de xofre nos combustibles utilizados a bordo por medio da Directiva 93/12/CEE do Consello das Comunidades Europeas e ata o momento actual, no que a utilización de novos combustibles de baixas emisións é xa unha realidade, ao igual que o é o auxe dunha industria que poida cubrir as necesidades orixinadas en torno a esta transformación. Tras a exposición dos diferentes tipos de combustibles orientados á descarbonización do transporte marítimo e o desenvolvemento da normativa aplicable, procederase coa exposición dos diferentes aspectos relacionados coa implantación no sector marítimo do considerado como o combustible alternativo máis factible en termos de madurez tecnolóxica e dispoñibilidade: o Gas Natural Licuado (GNL). Unha solución intermedia que ten coma principal obxectivo encamiñar á industria cara alternativas de cero emisións coas que acadar a total descarbonización do sector. Por último, exporanse os principais proxectos internacionais e nacionais levados a cabo ata o momento, así coma os que se encontran en desenvolvemento na actualidade, e que servirán para representar a evolución e o futuro dos combustibles alternativos na industria do transporte marítimo.