What are some green technologies and trends adopted in the shipping industry?
-What are the benefits of these technologies and trends?
-How do these technologies and trends help to make shipping more sustainable?
The maritime industry is under pressure to reduce its environmental impact. In response, shipowners and operators are adopting various green technologies and practices.
The most common green technologies being used in the shipping industry include:
- Ballast water treatment systems: Ballast water is water taken on board a ship to improve its stability and buoyancy. When ships discharge their ballast water, they can introduce harmful aquatic species into new environments, damaging local ecosystems. Ballast water treatment systems help to remove these species before the water is discharged. Good freight forwarding services are also moving towards it.
- Exhaust gas cleaning systems: Shipping vessels produce large amounts of harmful exhaust gases, which contribute to air pollution and climate change. Exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) remove these pollutants from the exhaust gases before they are emitted into the atmosphere.
- Fuel switching: Many ships and bonded transportation currently run on heavy fuel oil (HFO), a filthy fossil fuel. Switching to cleaner fuels such as marine gas oil (MGO) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) can significantly reduce emissions of harmful pollutants.
- Slow steaming: One of the simplest ways to reduce emissions from shipping vessels is to slow down. By operating at lower speeds, ships use less fuel and produce fewer emissions.
- Sail assist: Another low-tech way to reduce emissions is to use sails to help propel the ship. This can be done using traditional sails or installing wind turbines on the ship.
- Energy efficiency measures: There are several ways to make ships more energy efficient, such as improving hull design, using more efficient engines, and using energy-saving devices such as LED lights.
- Waste management: Proper waste management is essential for reducing the environmental impact of shipping. This includes recycling and disposing of waste properly, as well as preventing pollution from ship waste in the first place.
- Green ship design: When designing new ships, it is essential to consider ways to reduce their environmental impact. This includes using more environmentally-friendly materials, such as bamboo or recycled plastic, and incorporating energy-saving features like solar panels.
- Alternative propulsion: Several innovative propulsion systems are being developed that could significantly reduce the environmental impact of shipping. These include fuel cells, electric motors, and hybrid propulsion systems.
Benefits of Green Solutions for Shipping Businesses
Here are some of the benefits of doing so:
- Reduced emissions: One of the main benefits of green shipping solutions is that they can help to reduce emissions of harmful pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. This is good for the environment and can help improve a company’s reputation.
- Lower fuel costs: Many green shipping solutions, such as slow steaming and energy efficiency measures, can help to reduce fuel consumption. This can lead to significant cost savings for shipping companies.
- Improved competitiveness: Adopting green shipping solutions can help to improve a company’s competitiveness. This is because environmental regulations are becoming stricter, and customers are becoming more concerned about the environmental impact of the products they purchase.
- Attracting investment: Investing in green shipping solutions can help to attract investment from environmentally conscious investors. This can give a company the capital it needs to grow and expand its business.
- Creating jobs: Implementing green shipping solutions can create new jobs in the maritime industry. For example, installing solar panels on ships requires skilled workers to install them.
- Improving relations with stakeholders: Stakeholders, such as governments, NGOs, and the general public, are increasingly interested in the environmental impact of the maritime industry. Companies can improve their relationships with these stakeholders by adopting green shipping solutions.
- Reduced risk: Many green shipping solutions, such as using cleaner fuels or alternative propulsion systems, can help to reduce the risk of environmental disasters. This is good for the environment and can also help to protect a company’s reputation.
There are many benefits of adopting green shipping solutions. However, it is important to remember that these solutions must be implemented properly to be effective. A company should always consult with experts before implementing any new solution.
