Tag: GHG

The international shipping community is watching with great interest discussions at MEPC 72 which started on 9 April in London. The committee is expected to adopt the Initial Greenhouse Gas emission reduction strategy to minimize air pollution, in line with climate goals as defined in Paris Agreement.

The project is funded mostly by a $9.7 million grant from the California Energy Commission, and will bring 25 vehicles that are zero - or near zero -emissions to Port of Long Beach marine terminals for one year to test their performance in a real-world setting. The project aims to reduce GHG by more than 1,323 tons and smog-causing nitrogen oxides by 27 tons each year.

The discussions aim to conclude on an Initial Strategy a CO2 emissions reduction target for the sector as well as potential short, mid, and long-term reduction measures. The EU has recently agreed on a position with regard to the negotiations in the IMO on a CO2 emissions reduction target. 

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim stressed that a successful outcome on GHG strategy is very important, as he opened the working group meeting ahead of the forthcoming key Marine Environment Protection Committee. Mr. Lim called the meeting to finalize the draft Initial Strategy for adoption at MEPC 72.

IMO is at risk of unresolved conflicts of interest due to shortcomings in its governance, according to a new study by Transparency International. The anti-corruption organisation noted that private shipping-industry concerns could have undue influence over the policymaking process at the IMO, which could impede actions against GHG emissions.

The Union of Greek Shipowners announced that it supports the outcome of the forthcoming IMO MEPC 72, which agreed regarding the Initial IMO Strategy for GHG emissions reduction for international shipping. The UGS called for an ambitious vision, to eliminate all CO2 emissions from international shipping in the second half of the century, or as soon as the availability of zero CO2 fuels and propulsion technology makes this possible.

With the IMO MEPC 72 meeting fast approaching, ECSA’s President Panos Laskaridis reiterated the European Shipowners' strong commitment to the development of an ambitious and realistic IMO strategy on GHG within the time schedule agreed in the Roadmap and urged Member States to work diligently towards this goal.

Ahead of critical meetings at the IMO, regarding the reduction of GHG emissions from ships, which will start on 3 April, the International Chamber of Shipping says that governments must compromise to help IMO agree on an ambitious strategy for the reduction of CO2 emissions by shipping. 

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.

The NGO Transport & Environment released a ranking in which it presents the best and worst performing countries in Europe's attempt to reduce GHG emissions. Germany, Belgium and France are the top performers, while Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal and Croatia are the worst.