It is important that the shipping industry implements short-term efficiency gains to reduce carbon emissions while also embrace more radical long-term sustainability challenges to overcome the regulatory framework, Captain Rajesh Unni, CEO, and Founder of Synergy Group stated.
Captain Unni spoke at ‘The Path To Decarbonisation’ session of the 10th Annual Capital Link Operational Excellence in Shipping Forum, Captain Unni said in the short-term there were ample, achievable “low hanging fruit’” efficiency gains that would make shipping more sustainable.
He noted that there are still options to capitalize on in the short-term [including EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) which they’ve done a lot of work on, plus SEEMP.
We need to look at Negawatts – negative watts – because we need to look at how to save energy rather than using it.
In addition, he called on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to create regulation to encourage decarbonization innovation and provides incentives to increase the range of sustainable options open to vessel owners and operators.
He highlighted that currently there is a lack of options available to cut emissions.
I feel carbon capture is an inevitable short-term solution, but IMO needs to come up with a more credible plan before 2023 in the short term.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the world’s efforts to recover, the industry has more pressure than ever to take the measures needed towards sustainability. He also sees a range of potential emission reductions paths available to owners and managers that can be implemented ahead of an inevitable shift to more sustainable fuels in the future.
Creating awareness and acceptance is important to achieve decarbonization, while ship design and construction can be more efficient and less wasteful to reduce emissions.
Captain Unni concluded that
Decarbonisation is a huge challenge and opportunity. I am very positive about it as a ship manager and, personally, because I genuinely think this is the right thing to do. If we do it right, we’ll get there.
