At the opening press conference of the SMM maritime trade fair in Hamburg, political and business leaders discussed key challenges that shipping has to face, with a special focus on the 2020 sulphur cap and the industry’s goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by the year 2050. About 2,300 exhibitors are participating in the event, while 50,000 visitors are expected to attend.
A press conference featuring a panel of highly distinguished speakers opened the leading international maritime trade fair today. The expert panel included Kitack Lim-IMO Secretary General, Esben Poulsson-ICS Chairman, Frank Starke-Global Product Manager Medium Speed Engines, Caterpillar, and Bernd Aufderheide-President and CEO, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH, which organises SMM.
In his opening address, Bernd Aufderheide emphasised the great importance of SMM as an interdisciplinary platform for decision-makers and experts from the maritime world to share thoughts, ideas and experiences. In challenging times such as these, he said, the industry demonstrates its determination to pull together, discuss solutions for the future, and deliver impetus for long-term political decisions.
On his turn, Kitack Lim stressed the importance of the IMO’s ambitious ecological agenda. As soon as 2020, the global sulphur cap will come into effect, limiting the sulphur content in ship fuels to 0.5%, he said:
The entry into force of the sulphur limit on 1 January 2020 is a landmark decision for both the environment and for human health. It demonstrates a clear commitment by IMO to ensuring shipping meets its environmental obligations. The major focus for IMO and the industry now is to ensure consistent, global implementation of the new limit.
By 2050, the industry wants to cut its CO2 emissions in half, and by the end of the century ships are to operate entirely without emissions to contribute their fair share to the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
To have this overall international framework within which the technical discussions can now take place is a truly historic breakthrough. The next step is to agree the precise measures that will enable these ambitions to be achieved. Communication and collaboration among Member States and all stakeholders is essential.
Esben Poulsson, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping, took up the issue of the sulphur cap, highlighting the challenges the new limit brings about for the shipping industry:
ICS fully supports the implementation of the sulphur limit and accepts that postponement is not an option. It is important to consider that shipowners must begin purchasing compliant fuels as early as the middle of next year.
A recent survey by the Swiss investment bank UBS among ship managers revealed what all this means: From 2019 until 2023, more than $250 billion of equipment investments and operating costs will have to be shouldered by owners to comply with green shipping requirements. The IMO’s climate protection strategy will require an even greater effort and the 2050 goal can only be achieved with radically new propulsion systems, such as hydrogen and batteries, added Mr. Poulsson.
Engine manufacturers play a key role in the maritime energy transition and Dr. Frank Starke, Global Product Manager Medium Speed Engines at the engine manufacturer Caterpillar, is well aware of the challenge:
The ambitious 2050 greenhouse gas target can only be achieved by combining several technologies, including innovative engine technology, various fuels, new fuel production methods – such as Power to X – and exhaust gas after treatment.
Special applications will require special solutions, such as battery operation in short-sea shipping, he added. It is of paramount importance that all stakeholders act in concert, Starke stressed.
The required massive investments of creative intelligence and capital can only be justified if there is a predictable, globally harmonised emission regulation regime. Adherence to these regulations must be monitored effectively and enforced strictly to create a level playing field around the world.
The kick-off event for SMM 2018, the Maritime Future Summit, was held one day ahead of the fair, followed by a festive evening reception at the Hamburg City Hall. Apart from the official host of SMM, Hamburg First Mayor Tschentscher, speakers at the reception included State Secretary Dr. Ulrich Nussbaum from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, and IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim.
From Tuesday 4 September until Thursday 6 September, SMM opens from 9:30 am to 06:00 pm. On Friday 7 September the fair closes at 04:00 pm.
