A first step: The IMO`s regulation of shipping emission - Environmental Expert = Transport and Environment (T&E)

Posted 16 August 2011 - Environmental Expert = Transport and Environment (T&E)

Last month’s decision at the IMO to adopt an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships was a significant first step to address GHG emission from international shipping but it cannot be seen as a solution on its own.
Only new ships are affected, so the measure will take over 30 years to have full effect and the imple¬mentation waiver means it will be nearly 2020 before all new ship builds are required to comply.
The waiver and the accompanying commitments on technical assistance were directed at developing country concerns over accepting a global measure. Any waivers would be granted on a ship-by-ship basis. However IMO’s principle of equal treatment of ships and wish not to discriminate on the basis of flag, as China, Brazil and others so persistently pressed for, means that the waiver can in theory be enjoyed by any new ship built anywhere.
A non-EEDI compliant ship could be commissioned by a western owner and built in a western yard and sailed out to sea under a flag of convenience. More likely is that western shipowners will build non-EEDI compliant ships in the Far East and flag them out to a developing country. And possibly re-flag them back to an EU country shortly afterwards.
The question is will they? Or will western owners be more responsible? Some shipowners have said that it’s all a question of value (not morals!); that a non- EEDI compliant ship will have a lower resale value and uncertainty about port access or future charges associated with it, so owners wouldn’t take the risk. Maybe.
And in the scenario just outlined, it’s not clear whether EU member states would agree to such re-flagging. In either case, industry associations and individual ship¬owners should be happy to sign on to a code of conduct whereby all developed country shipowners publicly certify ship by ship their commitment to respect the intent of the IMO decision. NGOs would be happy to join with others and keep track of these commitments – assuming we can keep track of the owners.

Complete Post at:
http://www.environmental-expert.com/news/a-first-step-the-imos-regulation-of-shipping-emission-252873