The Global Maritime Forum has published a new Ambition Statement backed by a list of major industry stakeholders, identifying five action areas to improve the operational efficiency of vessels and reduce shipping emissions today, while also preparing for a more manageable long-term transition to a zero-emission future.
These five actions cover: data collection and transparency; contractual changes; pilot projects; ports, terminals, and value chains; and culture and leadership.
Global Maritime Forum’s own research suggests that increasing operational efficiencies in the industry could decrease annual fuel consumption by 20% and reduce annual emissions by more than 200 million tonnes of CO2.
“Capitalising fully on operational efficiency will be a prerequisite to achieving the 2030, 2040, and 2050 emissions reduction targets that were recently introduced as part of the International Maritime Organization’s revised greenhouse gas emissions strategy,” said Jesse Fahnestock, the Global Maritime Forum’s Project Director for Decarbonisation.
“Operational efficiency measures should and can be taken now, without waiting for new technological advancements like the procurement of zero-emission fuels and newbuild vessels.”
The signatories of the operational efficiency ambition statement are: Amaggi, Blue Visby, Bunge, Cargill, Chevron Shipping, COFCO International, Copenhagen Commercial Platform (CCP), Euronav, Genco Shipping, Lloyd’s Register, Louis Dreyfus Company, Maersk Tankers, NAPA, NYK Group, OCIMF, Oldendorff Carriers, Port of Açu, Port of Rotterdam, PSA International, Rubis Energie, Siglar Carbon, Signol, Stena Bulk, Stephenson Harwood, Torvald Klaveness, UKHO, Viterra, Watson Farley & Williams (WFW), Wisdom Marine Group, and Zero North.
“In an industry built around vessels that remain in service for decades, only through operational efficiencies, reducing fuel usage, costs, and carbon emissions will we be able to afford future green fuels and achieve our decarbonisation targets,’’ said Eman Abdalla, Global Operations and Supply Chain Director, Cargill Ocean Transportation.
“There is no decarbonisation without collaboration, and Cargill is proud to support this initiative. It is the right catalyst to bring the necessary collective and transformational change.”
The full Ambition Statement can be found here.
