The resurgence in oil and gas production from the United States, deep declines in the cost of renewables and growing electrification are changing the face of the global energy system and upending traditional ways of meeting energy demand, according to IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2017.
IMO’s MEPC 72 discussed key environmental issues for global shipping industry on 9-13 April. While global attention was focused on the adoption of initial strategy for the GHG emissions reduction from ships, key themes also included the 2020 sulphur limit, the BWM Convention, HFO use in Arctic, marine litter and biofouling.
German Port of Kiel and the federal state capital Kiel have cooperated on a concept aimed at providing sustainable development in the port. ‘Blue Port Kiel’ outlines strategies and initiatives in three spheres of activity aimed at making energy resources more efficient, reducing emissions and transferring hinterland transport to rail.
After a week of extensive negotiations, both developing and developed countries attending the IMO MEPC 72 meeting in London, have reached an agreement to reduce shipping’s GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008. This was marked as a historic decision, as the shipping industry aims to align with the Paris Agreement goals.
The Safe Seas – Connected Coasts 2018-2023 Strategy will implement a new and existing navigation technology, engineering and data management solutions to enable Safe Navigation at Sea for commercial shipping, fishing, leisure craft and passenger vessels. The Safe Seas – Connected Coasts Strategy includes upgraded lighthouse stations and navigation buoys with energy efficient LED technology.
Shell released its Sustainability report for 2017, addressing matters regarding the transition to a low-carbon energy future and measures to tackle climate change, while also improving the economic and social benefits of energy. Shell noted that it supports the Paris Agreement, as it “achieved a landmark agreement to tackle climate change”.
A new paper addresses the impact of periodic hull cleaning on oil tankers concluding that periodic hull cleaning leads to a significant reduction in the daily fuel consumption and hull cleaning energy efficiency effect is greater when the vessel is sailing laden rather than in the ballast condition.
Improved energy efficiency in shipping means use of less fuel, leading to less harmful emissions to the environment. In this context, IMO is leading the Global MTCC Network initiative, funded by EU, with Maritime Technology Cooperation Centres built in targeted regions promoting technologies to improve energy efficiency in the maritime.
Hong-Kong based Wallem Ship Management shared best practices with respect to energy efficiency on ships, including energy saving systems onboard that reduce environmental footprint, as well as energy efficiency management, such as weather routing or trim optimization.
Global energy demand rose by 2.1% in 2017, more than twice the previous year’s rate, boosted by strong economic growth, with oil, gas and coal meeting most of the increase in demand for energy, and renewables seeing impressive gains, according to IEA. As a result, energy-related carbon emissions increased by 1.4% in 2017, after three years of remaining flat.
