BIMCO 39 Drills down on green shipping
Technical innovation is going to play a major role in dealing with the growing pressures of environmental legislation, a BIMCO 39 conference in Vancouver was told this week. Sponsored by the Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia, the meeting focused on the developing goals for a cleaner environment, to which shipping and ports must respond, the Organization press release said.
In his keynote address, BIMCO President Elect Yudishthir Khatau pointed out that shipping “is a necessity – we depend upon it” and he asked how the industry can balance this with a responsibility to address climate change. It needs, he suggested, a change of mindset as it was impossible to separate growth from environmental responsibility.
Demand for cleaner air, reduced emissions and a range of other environmental challenges is driving the development of cleaner, greener ships and ports, with the spread of emission control areas and a compulsion to address greenhouse gas reduction. The imperatives of climate change, coinciding with and anticipated growth in marine transport places the maritime industry in a paradoxical situation, with often conflicting demands upon it.
Technology, said speakers at the conference, takes time to develop and the shipping industry risks being overtaken by events as mandatory limitations of emissions and other green regulations come into effect.
It was, however, suggested that a new generation of advanced ships such as shuttle tankers, tugs, container vessels and passenger ships are being developed to operate in this increasingly demanding regime.
Local presenters from Teekay, Seaspanand BC Ferries were among speakers who focused upon more sustainable ships, while the importance of better trained crew to operate more sophisticated vessels and new fuel management challenges were emphasised.
“Sustainable innovation” said Captain Stephen Brown , President of the Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia “is absolutely essential for shipping and ports – we have to find a way”.
The BIMCO 39 meeting brought together a group of younger maritime professionals and prefaced the BIMCO General Meeting being held in the British Columbian city this week.
In his keynote address, BIMCO President Elect Yudishthir Khatau pointed out that shipping “is a necessity – we depend upon it” and he asked how the industry can balance this with a responsibility to address climate change. It needs, he suggested, a change of mindset as it was impossible to separate growth from environmental responsibility.
Demand for cleaner air, reduced emissions and a range of other environmental challenges is driving the development of cleaner, greener ships and ports, with the spread of emission control areas and a compulsion to address greenhouse gas reduction. The imperatives of climate change, coinciding with and anticipated growth in marine transport places the maritime industry in a paradoxical situation, with often conflicting demands upon it.
Technology, said speakers at the conference, takes time to develop and the shipping industry risks being overtaken by events as mandatory limitations of emissions and other green regulations come into effect.
It was, however, suggested that a new generation of advanced ships such as shuttle tankers, tugs, container vessels and passenger ships are being developed to operate in this increasingly demanding regime.
Local presenters from Teekay, Seaspanand BC Ferries were among speakers who focused upon more sustainable ships, while the importance of better trained crew to operate more sophisticated vessels and new fuel management challenges were emphasised.
“Sustainable innovation” said Captain Stephen Brown , President of the Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia “is absolutely essential for shipping and ports – we have to find a way”.
The BIMCO 39 meeting brought together a group of younger maritime professionals and prefaced the BIMCO General Meeting being held in the British Columbian city this week.
