In our special column this month, we are pleased to host an interview with Dr. Edmund Hughes, Director, Green Marine Associates who until the beginning of the year has been member of the IMO Secretariat for over 9 years responsible for regulations related to air pollution from ships. Working now as an independent consultant, he is glad that he continues to support the global industry to improve its environmental standards through effective and consistent implementation of international regulations.
Dr Hughes highlights that regulation is vital for shipping towards a more sustainable future, otherwise shipping regulation risks would become increasingly fragmented. He also notes the benefits of social media to his professional life and says that his decision to do a PhD on environmental pollution control has paid off in every way.
SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined shipping industry and your field of expertise specifically?
Dr. Edmund Hughes: I am an engineer and as a post-graduate undertook research into accidents in the offshore (oil & gas) industry. This led to me taking my knowledge and insight on design and risk management and applying it to the shipping sector by working for the UK’s shipping regulator the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Eventually I ended up working on environmental policy which ironically reflected my PhD which was on environmental pollution control.
S4S: What about your current job/ role most excites you and why?
Dr. E.H.: The opportunity to support a global industry improve its environmental standards through effective and consistent implementation of international regulations.
S4S: When you think of the word successful who’s the first person who comes to mind and why?
Dr. E.H.: Neil Armstrong, not sure I need to explain why.
S4S: Who is/was the most influential person/mentor to you & why ?
Dr. E.H.: My mother. Taught me the importance of being curious and being interested in other people, and that if you have good English and Maths skills you have the building blocks to do anything in life.
S4S: What is the best and what was the worst piece of advice you’ve ever been given and why?
Dr. E.H.: Best piece of advice: Be true to oneself.
Worst piece of advice: Don’t bother to go to university just get a job. Without going to university I very much doubt I would have had the career to date which has brought tremendous opportunity and experiences.
S4S: What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, money) you’ve ever made?
Dr. E.H.: Leaving a graduate job at Rolls-Royce to go and do a PhD. This challenged me on so many levels but having got through it gave me belief in my abilities and demonstrated to others that I was capable of achieving the highest standards
S4S: If you could give a piece of advice to your 18-year-old-self one thing, what would it be and why? What piece of advice should you ignore?
Dr.E.H.: Worry less about the future as hard work will bring its rewards. Ignore those who start off by saying ‘If I was you…’
S4S: In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your business life?
Dr.E.H.: Social media – I know it is seen by some as pure evil but I genuinely believe it brings more benefits than harms to our society by connecting individuals, raising awareness, providing information that would be otherwise inaccessible, breaking down barriers, etc.
S4S: What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape and your area of expertise specifically and why?
Dr.E.H.: The shipping sector is facing numerous challenges from a society that is expecting not only companies to do more to be sustainable but can actually demonstrate that they are positively contributing to making the planet a better place for all. Regulation is an important part of the governance of international shipping and it is vital that this reflects those concerns otherwise shipping regulation risks becoming increasingly fragmented.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
Dr. E.H.: Carpe diem
About Dr. Edmund Hughes
From February 2020, Dr Edmund Hughes is a Director of Green Marine Associates, an independent consultancy based in the UK providing a service to the global maritime community. Previously, he was Head, Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency in the Marine Environment Division of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations specialized technical agency responsible for the regulation of international shipping. As a member of the IMO Secretariat for over 9 years his responsibilities covered MARPOL
Annex VI, the International Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships, including regulations on controlling emissions to air including IMO 2020, energy efficiency for ships, and IMO’s work to address GHG emissions from international shipping. Prior to joining the IMO, he held roles in the United Kingdom’s civil service including in HM Treasury where he worked on risk management and corporate governance and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency where he held policy roles in safety and environment. He has a PhD and a degree from Cranfield University.
