IACS to supporty IMO efforts for sustainability
IACS Chairman, Roberto Cazzulo, speaking at theWorld Maritime Day Symposium on a Sustainable Maritime Transportation System gave a detailed presentation on energy efficiency and implementation of new technologies in the context of sustainable shipping . During his speech, Mr. Cazzulo called for evidence-based assessment of ship efficiency.
In its strategic plan, IACS has focused a lot on environmental regulations, green technology and energy efficiency, with a view to presenting practical solutions and/or concerns to regulatory decisionmakers on topics of the highest importance to the industry. Mr Cazzulo stated that IACS is aware that further issues are being considered relating to the application of innovative energy‐saving devices, both in the context of the EEDI and SEEMP regulations. Classification societies can contribute to taking forward such developments, in view of their experience of verifying compliance with regulations and assessing the reliability of ship systems throughout the whole life‐cycle
In his conculsions, Mr Cazzulo highlighted that sustainability is a key issue for the shipping industry as well as for other sectors. Fundamental to the successful development and implementation of a sustainability strategy are two issues. First, many aspects of sustainability need to be, and can be, measured. The second issue is the recognition that innovation is inextricably linked to sustainability. New technologies and innovation will play a vital role in the immediate, and long term,future sustainability ofshipping.
More and more, the challenge for regulators, shipowners, shipbuilders, marine equipment manufacturers and other industry stakeholders is to decide which measures to adopt or implement. What classification societies have learned to do is provide a service to these parties to assist them in understanding the regulatory and technical issues, to help guide a process of engineering analysis that properly appraises designs and supports ship construction andoperations, while at the same time being aware of safety impacts. To do this, classification societies have a proven track record in providing technical guidance and impartial verificationservices. Many claims are being made about ship efficiency performance, greenhouse gas emissions, safety of new arrangements and the sustainable credentials of new ship designs andsystems. Owners and operators need data and they need it verified. Mr Cazzulo made a commitment that IACS and individual classification societies will offer their technical support and contribute to the on‐going discussions at the IMO and within the industry.