UN entities and private sector join forces to tackle invasive species and reduce emissions
A ground-breaking Global Industry Alliance (GIA) has been launched to tackle two of the most pressing environmental issues of our time – invasive species and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The GIA brings together stakeholders in the private sector and the GloFouling Partnerships, a project led by United Nations entities to address the transfer of harmful aquatic species through biofouling.
IMO2020 – Best practices, Guidelines for Port State Controls and more
Maritime shipping has one of the lowest carbon emissions compared to other modes of transport..
Despite this, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the regulatory authority for international shipping, has been working to reduce the harmful impacts of shipping on the environment since the 1960s..
In April 2018, the IMO adopted an initial strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels..
As part of this strategy, on January 1st 2020 IMO’s MARPOL Annex VI (colloquially known as IMO2020) regulated to lower the current global limit for sulphur content of marine fuels from 3.50% to 0.50% was implemented..
We caught up with Roel Hoenders, Acting Head of Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency, Sub-Division for Protective Measures, Marine Environment Division, with the IMO for his views on the implementation of the #IMO2020, and also to discuss the best practices and guidelines for Port State Controls (PSC)..
Maersk to test a containerised battery system to improve on board performance
I for one, am quite pleased with the many initiatives that the shipping and freight industry has been taking to combat climate change and reduce CO2 emissions..
Implementing IMO 2020 sulphur cap, testing the usage of bio-fuels to run ships, using scrubbers, avoiding north sea route, changing ships technology to use less fuel, etc etc etc.. While what is being done is commendable, there is still a LOT left to do in order to reach the goals set..
For its part, Maersk has announced that it will pilot a battery system to improve power production on board ships..
5 adverse effects of climate change on maritime transport
The maritime sector is a major global industry. In fact, an article published by the World Bank reports that shipping accounts for 80% of all world trade’s total volume. However, like other lucrative industries, it doesn’t only deal with accommodating a high demand for services, but also constantly faces numerous environmental issues.
Why exactly should shipping companies be involved with battling climate change? There are countless reasons, but one that stands out the most—if we assess matters through an economic perspective—is that climate change is a large threat to the industry itself.
Below, we’ll discuss several impacts of climate change on maritime transport, specifically on its efficiency and profitability.
CMA CGM chooses environment over Northern Sea Route
The Northern Sea Route is a shipping lane situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean along the Russian coast of Siberia and Far East.. This route crosses Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, East Siberian Sea and Chukchi Sea..
Five years ago this route was quite empty between December to May.. But as per reports, currently there are more than 20 ships per day on average which are active on this route..
This is testament to the effects of climate change and global warming..
This route has become quite popular in the name of saving on transit time and costs and almost 500,000 tons of cargo passed through this route in 2018..
It has been reported that 164 different companies navigated on the route operating 26 voyages between Europe and Asia..
One shipping line however, is choosing environmental and social responsibility to protect the biodiversity of both the Arctic region and the entire planet over the Northern Sea Route..
Maersk pilots carbon-netural shipping
With #IMO2020 fast approaching – 194 days away as of this article – shipping lines, customers and ship owners are working hard on finding ways to be compliant (whether they like it or not)..
This is especially important in the wake of recent comments from IMO’s Frederick Kenney about the possibility of a postponement of the IMO2020 deadline “The chance is really zero. Procedurally, there is no mechanism that would allow the 0.50% regulation, as it stands right now, to change from 1 January 2020.”
There are still some questions over the use of open loop scrubbers which have been identified by the IMO as one of the several methods through which ships can meet lower sulphur emission standards.. Some of the main bunkering ports like Singapore and Fujairah have banned open loop scrubbers in their waters whereas some countries like South Africa have said yes to all types of approved scrubbers..
Then there are also the usage of bio fuels to power ships and shipments..
In what is termed as a first of its kind in the industry, a new carbon neutral product is being piloted by Maersk Line – the world’s largest container shipping line..
Noah’s Train – A climate minded train for climate change awareness
It really warms the cockles of my heart when I see the shipping and freight industry taking positive steps to address the issue of climate change..
I was truly inspired when I saw the initiative by Rail Freight Forward led by Europe’s freight operating companies as part of its commitment to boosting climate protection..
Noah’s Train, the world’s longest mobile work of art, has been travelling through Europe since December 2018 stopping at various cities in Europe..
Europe’s freight operating companies are using this special train, which was inspired by Noah’s Ark, to promote the movement of more freight traffic via rail in the interests of the environment..