Tag: GHG

Validation and verification of GHG projects RINA issues New Guidelines regarding Validation and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Assertions as follows:These Guidelines define the procedures applied by RINA to validate and verify assertions related to greenhouse gases (GHG), as for example:* validation and verification of GHG projects;* verification of GHG inventories and of initiatives aimed at improving GHG management.Validation and verification of GHG assertions are performed according to the validation and verification criteria/requirements of an agreedsystem/scheme, these Guidelines and any additional elements indicated by the supervisory body of the system/scheme or by the accreditationbody.For every scheme relative to a GHG assertion, RINA can publish specific rules integrating the requirements of these Guidelines.For more information, click hereSource: RINA

Scientists are able to understand the consequences of increases in greenhouse gases New research from the University of Missouri indicates that Atlantic Ocean temperatures during the greenhouse climate of the Late Cretaceous Epoch were influenced by circulation in the deep ocean. These changes in circulation patterns 70 million years ago could help scientists understand the consequences of modern increases in greenhouse gases."We are examining ocean conditions from several past greenhouse climate intervals so that we can understand better the interactions among the atmosphere, the oceans, the biosphere, and climate," said Kenneth MacLeod, professor of geological sciences in the College of Arts and Science."The Late Cretaceous Epoch is a textbook example of a greenhouse climate on earth, and we have evidence that a northern water mass expanded southwards while the climate was cooling.At the same time, a warm, salty water mass that had been present throughout the greenhouse interval disappeared from the tropical Atlantic."The study found that at the end of the Late Cretaceous greenhouse interval, water sinking around Greenland was replaced by surface water flowing north from the South Atlantic.This change caused the North Atlantic to warm while the rest of the globe cooled. The change started about five million ...

Outline of latest IMO GHG Decisions and Environmental Legislation Flemming Sandstrøm, Senior Marine Technical Officer, BIMCO, is giving a presentation regarding the Outline of latest IMO GHG Decisions and Environmental Legislation, during the 2nd Annual Safety4Sea Forum, Session 2The 2nd Safety4Sea Forum, a PRO BONO event, successfully completed on 5th of October 2011 in Athens, covering a wide range in QHSE issues.The event has been attended by over 340 delegates at the venue representing more than 170 companies, plus more than 100 persons watching live streaming. The event organized by IBS Marine Consulting Group and sponsored by Aspida Maritime Security, Dorian Hellas, Transmar Shipping and Lloyd's Register and supported by BIMCO, Intermanager, SaveOurSeafarers campaign, Steamship Mutual, Green Award, Cardiff University, ELNAVI, NAFTIKA XRONIKA, Tanker Operator, Shipmanagement International and Marintech NewsFor more information about the Forum visithttp://www.safety4sea.com/forum/2For more information about Safety4Sea visit the official site http://www.safety4sea.com

If these rate levels continue, oil industry will be threatended At last week's INTERTANKO's Council Members meeting, deep concern was expressed over the current parlous state of tanker market rates."If these rate levels continue for a long period, then this could lead to a situation where sustainability of the oil transportation industry is threatened," said INTERTANKO's chairman, Capt Graham Westgarth, who was re-elected as chairman for another two years."Our members operate tankers to the highest standards and will continue to do so. Operating for a prolonged period in an environment where tanker owners are not even covering their operating costs is obviously not a situation that can be maintained," he said.Turning to the problem of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from tankers, the committee welcomed the adoption by IMO of amendments to the MARPOL Convention mandating energy efficiency measures (EEDI/SEEMP regulations) on vessels.The meeting advocated that:In the implementation of the EEDI requirements, there should be a 'level playing field' and that the EEDI requirements should apply equally to all ships on the same effective date.Compliance with EEDI should focus on improved hull design, propulsion efficiency and energy optimisation, rather than predominantly on reduced speed designs.Any measures taken to comply with ...

New ships are able to cut GHG emissions by 50 % The Royal Bank of Canada and the Supply Chain & Logistics Association Canada have released a report that identifies environmental sustainability as a key issue faced by the country, but one that offers significant opportunities for Canada's transportation and logistics companies.The report entitled, Focus Forward: Enhancing Supply Chain Value with Green Logistics & Transportation, highlighted environmental sustainability issues within the shipping, air, road, rail and truck transportation industries, and how distribution and transportation companies can enhance competitiveness in an increasingly global business environment.In terms of marine transportation, the report praised the shipping sector for its ability to mass transport goods with tremendous energy efficiency."It is also relatively clean in comparison to other modes, emitting less carbon dioxide per tonne-kilometer than air or truck transport," said David Bolduc, executive director of Green Marine in Quebec.However, the marine mode as a whole still has a significant environmental impact, the report added.Marine transport uses heavier fuels which emit more sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter when burned.International marine shipping, along with aviation are the only two industries not covered by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol because their greenhouse gas emissions cannot be ...

Aviation and maritime sectors in Europe should be subject to same emissions control The direction of a legal battle over the European Union's regulation of airlines' greenhouse-gas emissions (GHGs), which has great implications for the maritime industry, maybe revealed as soon as next month. The European Court of Justice is expected to deliver its initial findings in a case brought by US airlines against the UK Government and European Commission over the inclusion of international airlines in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) as soon as late September.The international maritime industry has a lot at stake in this case. Brussels is also formulating a proposal to regulate GHGs from all shipping in the EU in much the same way. The chances of it successfully doing so will be heavily influenced by the outcome of the aviation case in Europe's highest court.An initial ruling from the ECJ could come in September or October, although there are expectations the full course of legal action could carry over into next year, which takes beyond the date the regulation comes into force.From January 1, Brussels will bring airlines into the EU ETS and require the surrender of emissions permits for every tonne of ...

The ships need a minimum score based on fuel consumption and emissions In an attempt to cut greenhouse gas emmissions, the Indian government will introduce a discount for all 'green' ships docking at the country's ports. The ships need a minimum score based on fuel consumption and emissions including sulphur di-oxide and carbon-di-oxide.Green is now the new buzz at the shipping ministry. In an endeavour to cut down on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and limit damage to coastal life, the ministry is planning to introduce a discount for 'green ships' that enter Indian ports.This is a prevalent practice at some major ports such as Hamburg in Germany, Antwerp in Belgium and Panama. The ministry has proposed offering a rebate of 25% on vessel related charges on such ships.To qualify for a discount a ship needs to score 30 or more points on the International Environmental Ship Index, which rates vessels on a scale from 0 to 100 based on factors such as fuel consumption and emissions including sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide.The minimum qualifying score at Indian ports, for availing the discount, is yet to be finalised. The proposal forms part of the discussions of the working group on shipping ...

Black carbon alone contributes at least 30 % You have probably heard about melting Arctic ice and the drastic decrease in glacier size. You may have seen it yourself during a trip to a favorite spot, and mourned the loss of beautiful snow covered views.And while you may be aware that the increase in greenhouse gases is to blame, at least in large part, for our planet's warming, you may not realize that a substance called black carbon is an accomplice, affecting everything from polar bear habitat in the Arctic to glacial fed drinking water in the Himalayas.A recent peer-reviewed study found that "Most of the change in snow and ice cover -- about 90 percent -- is from aerosols. Black carbon alone contributes at least 30 percent of this sum."Black carbon is an aerosol produced during poor combustion of carbon-based fuels (as opposed to carbon dioxide, which is produced in all circumstances), and together with organic carbon is one the major components in soot.Sources include diesel engines in various types of vehicles, furnaces, cook stoves, and forest fires, as well as some industrial processes. Some 25% to 35% of emissions occur in China and India (from combustion of wood, ...

Welcome the IMOs actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions The first ever mandatory energy efficiency measures for international shipping, Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP), were adopted last week. The breakthrough came at the 62nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held in London.The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) are newly incorporated into the MARPOL Annex VI regulations, adding a new chapter 4 Regulations on Energy Efficiency for Ships. Both measures of EEDI and SEEMP are expected to enter into force on 1 January, 2013, to be applied to ships of 400 gross tonnage and over.As a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of worldwide ports that collaborate and provide input to the IMO, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) welcomed the IMOs actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping.IAPH and its member base of approximately 200 ports worldwide welcomes and supports these significant policy developments by the International Maritime Organization, said IAPH President Geraldine Knatz, executive director of the Port of Los Angles.These measures, coupled with global air quality improvement initiatives like the IAPH World ...

IMO has developed a final version for amendments to MARPOL Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 After long debates and negotiations, the IMOs Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 62) has developed a final version for amendments to MARPOL Annex VI aimed to reduce ships greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The adoption may be reached by the end of this week through consensus rather than though voting. Therefore, as an interim report, below is a brief description of the amendments which MEPC 62 may adopt.The consensus for the adoption of these amendments to MARPOL is reached by adding two additional provisions: one promoting technical cooperation and transfer of technology, the other providing an waiver so that Administrations could chose to delay the enforcement of the amendments for up to 4 years.The amendments, due to come into force 1 January 2013, can be summed up as follows:1. New ship (building contract as from 1 January 2013 and delivery not later than 30 June 2015) will have to meet a required Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). In addition, all ships, new and existing are required to keep onboard a ship specific Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) which may form part of the ship's ...