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Friday, September 21, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Shipping, oil hunt may accelerate Arctic thaw - The Sydney Morning Herald
Posted - September 19, 2012 - The Sydney Morning Herald
Local pollution in the Arctic from shipping and oil and gas industries, which have expanded in the region due to a thawing of sea ice caused by global warming, could further accelerate that thaw, experts say.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said there was an urgent need to calculate risks of local pollutants such as soot, or "black carbon", in the Arctic. Soot darkens ice, making it soak up more of the sun's heat and quickening a melt.
Companies such as Shell, which this week gave up a push to find oil this year in the Chukchi Sea as the winter closed in, Exxon or Statoil say they are using the cleanest available technologies.
But the risks of even small amounts of pollution on the Arctic Ocean, emitted near ice with little dispersal by winds, have not been fully assessed.
"A lot of the concerns need urgent evaluation," said Nick Nuttall, spokesman of Naibori-based UNEP, referring to issues such as flaring of gas or fuels used by vessels in the Arctic.
"There is a grim irony here that as the ice melts...humanity is going for more of the natural resources fuelling this meltdown," he said. Large amounts of soot in the Arctic come from more distant sources such as forest fires or industry.
The extent of sea ice on the Arctic Ocean has shrunk this summer to the smallest since satellite records began in the 1970s, eclipsing a 2007 low. The melt is part of a long-term retreat blamed by a U.N. panel on man-made global warming, caused by use of fossil fuels.
"We're working to get a better documentation of the risks of black carbon in the Arctic," said Lars-Otto Reiersen, head of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), part of the Arctic Council.
An AMAP report last year said that "regulation of black carbon production from all sources, especially those resulting locally from activities in the Arctic, is required at all scales."
400 fields
More than 400 oil and gas fields within the Arctic region were developed by 2007, according to AMAP, mostly in West Siberia in Russia and in Alaska. Most of the undiscovered oil and gas is now estimated to be offshore.
Soot is an extra problem for planners, adding to risks such as of an oil blowout or a shipwreck. The U.N.'s International Maritime Organisation is trying to work out a new "Polar Code" that might tighten everything from emissions to hull standards.
Still, for shipping, use of the Arctic route may be less damaging overall in terms of global warming, including soot, since it is a short-cut between some Atlantic and Pacific ports. That means ships burn much less fuel on the route.
"We are working on the net effect of the Arctic route compared to the Suez Canal," said Jan Fuglestvedt, of the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research in Oslo.
In 2009, the Bremen-based Beluga Group sailed from South Korea to Rotterdam across the Arctic, cutting 4,000 nautical miles off the route via Suez. This year, for instance, an icebreaker became the first Chinese vessel to cross the ocean.
One study indicated that increased use of the Arctic route might limit carbon dioxide emissions for global shipping by 2.9 million tonnes a year by 2050, or 0.1 per cent, compared with use of the Suez Canal.
"If the Arctic route is really open by then it may reduce carbon emissions a bit on the global scale," said Leif Ingolf Eide, an author of the study at Norwegian-based risk management group DnV. The study did not assess soot, he said.
In a 2011 report, UNEP estimated that a global crackdown on soot, methane and ozone could slow global warming by 0.5 degree Celsius (0.9F). It would also protect human health and promote crop growth.
Almost 200 nations have agreed to limit climate change to below 2 degrees C (3.6F) above pre-industrial times, seeing it as a threshold to dangerous changes such as more droughts, floods or rising sea levels.
Post to be found at:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/shipping-oil-hunt-may-accelerate-arctic-thaw-20120919-2655h.html
Local pollution in the Arctic from shipping and oil and gas industries, which have expanded in the region due to a thawing of sea ice caused by global warming, could further accelerate that thaw, experts say.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said there was an urgent need to calculate risks of local pollutants such as soot, or "black carbon", in the Arctic. Soot darkens ice, making it soak up more of the sun's heat and quickening a melt.
Companies such as Shell, which this week gave up a push to find oil this year in the Chukchi Sea as the winter closed in, Exxon or Statoil say they are using the cleanest available technologies.
But the risks of even small amounts of pollution on the Arctic Ocean, emitted near ice with little dispersal by winds, have not been fully assessed.
"A lot of the concerns need urgent evaluation," said Nick Nuttall, spokesman of Naibori-based UNEP, referring to issues such as flaring of gas or fuels used by vessels in the Arctic.
"There is a grim irony here that as the ice melts...humanity is going for more of the natural resources fuelling this meltdown," he said. Large amounts of soot in the Arctic come from more distant sources such as forest fires or industry.
The extent of sea ice on the Arctic Ocean has shrunk this summer to the smallest since satellite records began in the 1970s, eclipsing a 2007 low. The melt is part of a long-term retreat blamed by a U.N. panel on man-made global warming, caused by use of fossil fuels.
"We're working to get a better documentation of the risks of black carbon in the Arctic," said Lars-Otto Reiersen, head of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), part of the Arctic Council.
An AMAP report last year said that "regulation of black carbon production from all sources, especially those resulting locally from activities in the Arctic, is required at all scales."
400 fields
More than 400 oil and gas fields within the Arctic region were developed by 2007, according to AMAP, mostly in West Siberia in Russia and in Alaska. Most of the undiscovered oil and gas is now estimated to be offshore.
Soot is an extra problem for planners, adding to risks such as of an oil blowout or a shipwreck. The U.N.'s International Maritime Organisation is trying to work out a new "Polar Code" that might tighten everything from emissions to hull standards.
Still, for shipping, use of the Arctic route may be less damaging overall in terms of global warming, including soot, since it is a short-cut between some Atlantic and Pacific ports. That means ships burn much less fuel on the route.
"We are working on the net effect of the Arctic route compared to the Suez Canal," said Jan Fuglestvedt, of the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research in Oslo.
In 2009, the Bremen-based Beluga Group sailed from South Korea to Rotterdam across the Arctic, cutting 4,000 nautical miles off the route via Suez. This year, for instance, an icebreaker became the first Chinese vessel to cross the ocean.
One study indicated that increased use of the Arctic route might limit carbon dioxide emissions for global shipping by 2.9 million tonnes a year by 2050, or 0.1 per cent, compared with use of the Suez Canal.
"If the Arctic route is really open by then it may reduce carbon emissions a bit on the global scale," said Leif Ingolf Eide, an author of the study at Norwegian-based risk management group DnV. The study did not assess soot, he said.
In a 2011 report, UNEP estimated that a global crackdown on soot, methane and ozone could slow global warming by 0.5 degree Celsius (0.9F). It would also protect human health and promote crop growth.
Almost 200 nations have agreed to limit climate change to below 2 degrees C (3.6F) above pre-industrial times, seeing it as a threshold to dangerous changes such as more droughts, floods or rising sea levels.
Post to be found at:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/shipping-oil-hunt-may-accelerate-arctic-thaw-20120919-2655h.html
EU to Present Proposal to Curb CO2 Emissions From Shipping - businessweek.com
Posted - By Ewa Krukowska on September 18, 2012- Bloomberg News
“We are including different types of measures, ranging from measurement, reporting and verification, to technical standards, to setting baselines. These options are all on the table,” Bardram said. “The ETS-type schemes are part of the options that are being considered.”
The EU emissions trading system is the world’s biggest cap- and-trade carbon market. It imposes pollution limits on about 12,000 companies and expanded this year to include flights to and from EU airports.
Global maritime transport accounts for almost 3 percent of carbon-dioxide discharges, and emissions from ships are expected to more than double by 2050, according to the commission, the Brussels-based EU regulatory arm.
“We will not introduce a maritime proposal that would be discriminatory or would result in distortions,” Bardram said. “We are responsible and at the same time we have to ensure that the European industry has a level playing field and that we’re able to incentivize early actions, that we can make things happen.”
IMO recognizes the “urgency” of the need to reduce greenhouse gases from shipping, Andreas Chrysostomou, chairman of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee, told the conference today. The organization has already introduced mandatory efficiency measures, established a group to evaluate proposals on market-based mechanisms and wants to continue their development next year, he said.
Post to be found at:
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-09-18/eu-to-present-proposal-to-curb-co2-emissions-from-shipping
The European Union will present in
the coming months a proposal to curb emissions from ships in the
absence of an international solution, a European Commission
official said.
The International Maritime Organization, created under the
United Nations system, has been unable to agree on measures to
curb emissions from ships for more than a decade. While IMO “is
the best entity to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from
international shipping” it has been slow to act, Elina Bardram,
head of the international carbon market unit at the European
Commission, told a seminar in Brussels today. “We are including different types of measures, ranging from measurement, reporting and verification, to technical standards, to setting baselines. These options are all on the table,” Bardram said. “The ETS-type schemes are part of the options that are being considered.”
The EU emissions trading system is the world’s biggest cap- and-trade carbon market. It imposes pollution limits on about 12,000 companies and expanded this year to include flights to and from EU airports.
Global maritime transport accounts for almost 3 percent of carbon-dioxide discharges, and emissions from ships are expected to more than double by 2050, according to the commission, the Brussels-based EU regulatory arm.
“We will not introduce a maritime proposal that would be discriminatory or would result in distortions,” Bardram said. “We are responsible and at the same time we have to ensure that the European industry has a level playing field and that we’re able to incentivize early actions, that we can make things happen.”
IMO recognizes the “urgency” of the need to reduce greenhouse gases from shipping, Andreas Chrysostomou, chairman of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee, told the conference today. The organization has already introduced mandatory efficiency measures, established a group to evaluate proposals on market-based mechanisms and wants to continue their development next year, he said.
Post to be found at:
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-09-18/eu-to-present-proposal-to-curb-co2-emissions-from-shipping
Alfa Laval Tumba AB: Energy Efficiency, Application Leadership & Integrated Solutions - Maritime Executive
Posted - Monday, September 17, 2012 - Maritime Executive
At this year’s SMM, Alfa Laval’s customer and press seminar included a presentation entitled “Saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions”. Niclas Dahl, Alfa Laval Marine & Diesel Equipment, discussed the shipping industry’s future fuel options with a focus on keeping operating costs at a viable level while complying with environmental regulations. René Fich Jespersen, Alfa Laval Aalborg, presented the latest Aalborg waste heat recovery products and showed the impressive fuel savings and reductions in CO2 emissions they offer when installed onboard a typical container ship.
Onboard ships throughout the world, Alfa Laval products installed in engine rooms save energy, reduce CO2 emissions and prolong engine lifetimes. The fuel treatment line, from the settling tank to the engine is one of Alfa Laval’s key focus areas and the company continuously monitors developments in the marine fuels market.
Fuel trend drivers
With increasingly stringent local and global environmental regulations, ship owners and operators are currently reviewing their future options in terms of fuel compliance strategies and new fuels are being discussed. The result is likely to be the use of lower and more variable fuel quality, with more cat fines. Thus, there will be an even sharper focus on fuel handling and cleaning efficiency, and advanced fuel treatment equipment will become even more important.
A main driver is, of course, the need to reduce ship operation costs in order to remain profitable and competitive. Here the focus is on fuel efficiency, fuel flexibility, equipment life-cycle costs and cost of ownership.
Equally important is to find solutions that will comply with new legislation. The focus in this case is on preparing fuel systems for handling multiple fuel types onboard. Other factors are fuel availability, deteriorating fuel quality, reliability and safety.
Future options
Of the main future options for ship owners and operators, Alfa Laval believes that the three most likely to dominate in the short term are: continue with HFO and add exhaust gas cleaning equipment (scrubbers); continue with HFO and complement with distillates (dual fuel); or blending fuel in order to meet environmental legislation.
Complete post to be found at:
www.maritime-executive.com/article/alfa-laval-tumba-ab-energy-efficiency-application-leadership-integrated-solutions
At this year’s SMM, Alfa Laval’s customer and press seminar included a presentation entitled “Saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions”. Niclas Dahl, Alfa Laval Marine & Diesel Equipment, discussed the shipping industry’s future fuel options with a focus on keeping operating costs at a viable level while complying with environmental regulations. René Fich Jespersen, Alfa Laval Aalborg, presented the latest Aalborg waste heat recovery products and showed the impressive fuel savings and reductions in CO2 emissions they offer when installed onboard a typical container ship.
Onboard ships throughout the world, Alfa Laval products installed in engine rooms save energy, reduce CO2 emissions and prolong engine lifetimes. The fuel treatment line, from the settling tank to the engine is one of Alfa Laval’s key focus areas and the company continuously monitors developments in the marine fuels market.
Fuel trend drivers
With increasingly stringent local and global environmental regulations, ship owners and operators are currently reviewing their future options in terms of fuel compliance strategies and new fuels are being discussed. The result is likely to be the use of lower and more variable fuel quality, with more cat fines. Thus, there will be an even sharper focus on fuel handling and cleaning efficiency, and advanced fuel treatment equipment will become even more important.
A main driver is, of course, the need to reduce ship operation costs in order to remain profitable and competitive. Here the focus is on fuel efficiency, fuel flexibility, equipment life-cycle costs and cost of ownership.
Equally important is to find solutions that will comply with new legislation. The focus in this case is on preparing fuel systems for handling multiple fuel types onboard. Other factors are fuel availability, deteriorating fuel quality, reliability and safety.
Future options
Of the main future options for ship owners and operators, Alfa Laval believes that the three most likely to dominate in the short term are: continue with HFO and add exhaust gas cleaning equipment (scrubbers); continue with HFO and complement with distillates (dual fuel); or blending fuel in order to meet environmental legislation.
Complete post to be found at:
www.maritime-executive.com/article/alfa-laval-tumba-ab-energy-efficiency-application-leadership-integrated-solutions
Use Clean Fuel in Hong Kong Waters & Save - MarineLink.com
Posted - September 16, 2012 -MarineLink.com
http://www.marinelink.com/news/waters-clean-fuel347681.aspx
Ocean-going
vessels (OGVs) to become eligible for a 50% reduction in port facility
& light dues if they switch to cleaner fuel while berthed in Hong
Kong waters.
"The government has been implementing a package of 22 measures, targeting various major polluting sources, with a view to improving the air quality in Hong Kong," Hong Kong Secretary for the Environment. Reducing marine emissions is one of our priorities and the launch of the incentive scheme is a step forward to achieving this goal.
Mr. Wong said that under the incentive program, OGVs would enjoy a 50 percent reduction in port facility and light dues by switching from bunker oil to fuel with sulfur content of not more than 0.5 percent for their auxiliary engines, boilers and generators while at berth in Hong Kong waters. He commented that the incentive program would help reduce vessel emissions and improve the air quality around the port area.
In his 2012-13 budget speech, Hong Kong Financial Secretary announced the initiative to reduce by half the port facility and light dues charged on OGVs using low-sulfur fuel while berthing in Hong Kong waters.
In 2011, about 32,500 calls to Hong Kong were recorded. They are subject to port facility and light dues based on their tonnage at US$5.5 per 100 tons for every port call to Hong Kong.
Starting from September 26, 2012, the incentive program will last for three years.
"The government has been implementing a package of 22 measures, targeting various major polluting sources, with a view to improving the air quality in Hong Kong," Hong Kong Secretary for the Environment. Reducing marine emissions is one of our priorities and the launch of the incentive scheme is a step forward to achieving this goal.
Mr. Wong said that under the incentive program, OGVs would enjoy a 50 percent reduction in port facility and light dues by switching from bunker oil to fuel with sulfur content of not more than 0.5 percent for their auxiliary engines, boilers and generators while at berth in Hong Kong waters. He commented that the incentive program would help reduce vessel emissions and improve the air quality around the port area.
In his 2012-13 budget speech, Hong Kong Financial Secretary announced the initiative to reduce by half the port facility and light dues charged on OGVs using low-sulfur fuel while berthing in Hong Kong waters.
In 2011, about 32,500 calls to Hong Kong were recorded. They are subject to port facility and light dues based on their tonnage at US$5.5 per 100 tons for every port call to Hong Kong.
Starting from September 26, 2012, the incentive program will last for three years.
http://www.marinelink.com/news/waters-clean-fuel347681.aspx
EU Aligns With IMO Marine Engine Emission Rules - MarineLink.com
Posted - September 19, 2012 -
The European Parliament approves legislation agreed with member states, which requires new general limits to be in place by 2020.
The new rules will bring European legislation in line with limits agreed by the International Maritime Organisation. The general sulphur limit for fuels in European seas will fall from 3.5% to 0.5% by 2020, after MEPs insisted on deleting provisions that would have allowed the deadline to be postponed by five years. "Highly polluting shipping fuels have a serious impact on the environment but this is also the most important health reform of this parliamentary mandate. With air pollution from shipping expected to outstrip land-based emissions by 2020, urgent remedial action is needed", said rapporteur Satu Hassi (Greens/EFA, FI), after her report was approved by 606 votes to 55, with 3 abstentions. Fuel used in the Baltic Sea, North Sea and English Channel - Europe's 'sulphur emission control areas' (SECAs) - will need to meet the new international standard of 0.1% by 2015 (from 1% currently). The limits can be met by using cleaner fuels or technology, such as scrubbers, that can deliver an equivalent result. As part of its review of air quality legislation, the legislation asks the Commission to consider extending the stricter SECA limits to all EU territorial waters, i.e. within 12 nautical miles of the coastline.
http://www.marinelink.com/news/emission-aligns-marine347585.aspx
The European Parliament approves legislation agreed with member states, which requires new general limits to be in place by 2020.
The new rules will bring European legislation in line with limits agreed by the International Maritime Organisation. The general sulphur limit for fuels in European seas will fall from 3.5% to 0.5% by 2020, after MEPs insisted on deleting provisions that would have allowed the deadline to be postponed by five years. "Highly polluting shipping fuels have a serious impact on the environment but this is also the most important health reform of this parliamentary mandate. With air pollution from shipping expected to outstrip land-based emissions by 2020, urgent remedial action is needed", said rapporteur Satu Hassi (Greens/EFA, FI), after her report was approved by 606 votes to 55, with 3 abstentions. Fuel used in the Baltic Sea, North Sea and English Channel - Europe's 'sulphur emission control areas' (SECAs) - will need to meet the new international standard of 0.1% by 2015 (from 1% currently). The limits can be met by using cleaner fuels or technology, such as scrubbers, that can deliver an equivalent result. As part of its review of air quality legislation, the legislation asks the Commission to consider extending the stricter SECA limits to all EU territorial waters, i.e. within 12 nautical miles of the coastline.
http://www.marinelink.com/news/emission-aligns-marine347585.aspx
EUROPEAN COMMISSION - September 13, 2013
Link to -
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
Blue Growth - opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth - (Text with EEA relevance)
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy/blue_growth/documents/com_2012_494_en.pdf
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
Blue Growth - opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth - (Text with EEA relevance)
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy/blue_growth/documents/com_2012_494_en.pdf
Thursday, September 6, 2012
GL launches “GL EmissionManager” - Hamburg Süd is partner in pilot project - Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide
Posted - September 6, 2012 - Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide
Shipping – still the most efficient global transport method. Increasingly however, shipowners and operators are being asked to measure, track and report the emissions from their vessels by both regulators and their business partners. In normal day-to-day operation, standard onboard reporting generates a large amount of information that could be used to generate an accurate picture of a vessel’s emissions. Today at SMM 2012 classification society Germanischer Lloyd announced the launch of a new product, “GL EmissionManager”, which will allow owners and operators to collect, track and calculate the emissions of a ship in detail for the first time.
In cooperation with German shipping company Hamburg Süd, GL have developed the GL EmissionManager system to systematically capture all environmentally relevant ship operation data. Using this software tool, owners and operators no longer have to rely on assumptions and estimates, but instead have reliable data with which to assess the performance of vessels and fleets and to generate reports for mandatory regulations, voluntary databases and to satisfy a client base which is increasingly interested in verifying environmental performance.
The GL EmissionManager software is designed to systematize and structure reports that are traditionally recorded in less coordinated ways. Operational and voyage-related data, such as noon/position report, departure, arrival, and stoppage reports is recorded and analysed and environmental information, examining factors such as fuel consumption, emissions to air (CO2, SOX, NOX), garbage, sludge, ballast water and chemicals, is extracted.
“The GL Emission Manager works with data that is already being entered manually today. But because currently this is not being collected in one tool, making additional evaluations and conclusions based on the data is not possible,” explained Dr Torsten Büssow, GL’s Head of Maritime Software, at the launch of the new product at GL’s stand at SMM in Hamburg today.
The system consists of two parts, a software component that collects information (“emission recorder”) and a ‘Green Server’, where the data is analyzed and certified and where different reports are produced.
The “emission recorder” is installed on the computer of the participating vessel. This software collects environmentally relevant data in the form of voyage and operation reports. Each report has a standard form containing relevant fields: for example, the port departure report contains fields regarding cargo load, fuel, position and more, whereas in the garbage report the crew can enter information about the amount and type of garbage and kind of disposal. This has the additional benefit of making traditional ship-to-shore reporting easier for the crew, as with one click the standard forms are transferred from the EM Recorder to the GL GreenServer, which tracks all reports. In addition, standard event e-mails are automatically sent from the vessel to the GL GreenServer in order to signify standard events such as port departure.
The GL Green Server logs, structures and stores the data for comprehensive fleet analysis, for providing data for regulatory or classification purposes (e.g. SEEMP, EEOI or Environmental Passport), or for environmental shipping databases such as the Clean Shipping Index or Clean Cargo Working Group. In addition, it allows the data inventory to be certified for consistency and reliability. The system also checks that no reports are missing. If the GL GreenServer, for example, receives an end of sea passage report, it automatically checks that all prior reports have been sent. If a report is missing, the vessel and the office are notified and further inquiries can be made.
“As you can only manage what you measure, the GL EmissionManager’s comprehensive reporting capability allows owners and operators to set targets and measure target achievement – two basic requirements for the SEEMP, for example,” said Dr Büssow. “The system offers shipowners the opportunity to set up comprehensive emission reporting for the entire fleet using the data you already have, benefit from comprehensive fleet analysis capabilities across all operational and voyage data and improve data quality and integrity to the highest certifiable standards.”
Post found at:
http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/News.aspx?ElementId=c25b61aa-63e2-4e87-9831-078860d9d60c&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily
Shipping – still the most efficient global transport method. Increasingly however, shipowners and operators are being asked to measure, track and report the emissions from their vessels by both regulators and their business partners. In normal day-to-day operation, standard onboard reporting generates a large amount of information that could be used to generate an accurate picture of a vessel’s emissions. Today at SMM 2012 classification society Germanischer Lloyd announced the launch of a new product, “GL EmissionManager”, which will allow owners and operators to collect, track and calculate the emissions of a ship in detail for the first time.
In cooperation with German shipping company Hamburg Süd, GL have developed the GL EmissionManager system to systematically capture all environmentally relevant ship operation data. Using this software tool, owners and operators no longer have to rely on assumptions and estimates, but instead have reliable data with which to assess the performance of vessels and fleets and to generate reports for mandatory regulations, voluntary databases and to satisfy a client base which is increasingly interested in verifying environmental performance.
The GL EmissionManager software is designed to systematize and structure reports that are traditionally recorded in less coordinated ways. Operational and voyage-related data, such as noon/position report, departure, arrival, and stoppage reports is recorded and analysed and environmental information, examining factors such as fuel consumption, emissions to air (CO2, SOX, NOX), garbage, sludge, ballast water and chemicals, is extracted.
“The GL Emission Manager works with data that is already being entered manually today. But because currently this is not being collected in one tool, making additional evaluations and conclusions based on the data is not possible,” explained Dr Torsten Büssow, GL’s Head of Maritime Software, at the launch of the new product at GL’s stand at SMM in Hamburg today.
The system consists of two parts, a software component that collects information (“emission recorder”) and a ‘Green Server’, where the data is analyzed and certified and where different reports are produced.
The “emission recorder” is installed on the computer of the participating vessel. This software collects environmentally relevant data in the form of voyage and operation reports. Each report has a standard form containing relevant fields: for example, the port departure report contains fields regarding cargo load, fuel, position and more, whereas in the garbage report the crew can enter information about the amount and type of garbage and kind of disposal. This has the additional benefit of making traditional ship-to-shore reporting easier for the crew, as with one click the standard forms are transferred from the EM Recorder to the GL GreenServer, which tracks all reports. In addition, standard event e-mails are automatically sent from the vessel to the GL GreenServer in order to signify standard events such as port departure.
The GL Green Server logs, structures and stores the data for comprehensive fleet analysis, for providing data for regulatory or classification purposes (e.g. SEEMP, EEOI or Environmental Passport), or for environmental shipping databases such as the Clean Shipping Index or Clean Cargo Working Group. In addition, it allows the data inventory to be certified for consistency and reliability. The system also checks that no reports are missing. If the GL GreenServer, for example, receives an end of sea passage report, it automatically checks that all prior reports have been sent. If a report is missing, the vessel and the office are notified and further inquiries can be made.
“As you can only manage what you measure, the GL EmissionManager’s comprehensive reporting capability allows owners and operators to set targets and measure target achievement – two basic requirements for the SEEMP, for example,” said Dr Büssow. “The system offers shipowners the opportunity to set up comprehensive emission reporting for the entire fleet using the data you already have, benefit from comprehensive fleet analysis capabilities across all operational and voyage data and improve data quality and integrity to the highest certifiable standards.”
Post found at:
http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/News.aspx?ElementId=c25b61aa-63e2-4e87-9831-078860d9d60c&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
A few Blogs around the net
| World Maritime News - SMM – The CO2 Emission is a Wide ... By World Maritime News The stabilization of CO2 emissions in the shipping industry has been the burning topic at today's CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Emissions workshop, held within the framework of SMM's Global Maritime Environmental Congress (GMEC) in ... World Maritime News |
| All About Shipping » Blog Archive » GL at SMM 2012 – A Clear New ... By admin But even such marked gains in efficiency will not stop the steady increase of total emissions from shipping or meet the ambitious reduction targets of the future. At his presentation at GMEC (global maritime environmental congress) today, ... All About Shipping |
| Prioritize Development of Wind-Powered Cargo Ships - ForceChange By Hanna Broback The shipping industry contributes significantly to global fuel consumption and emissions, and at the same time holds responsibility for the majority of world trade. Please request that the U.S. Department of Energy prioritize further research and ... ForceChange |
| EPA approves Rolls-Royce marine natural gas engine for sale in US By Mike Millikin The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved for sale in the US market marine natural gas engines designed to improve fuel efficiency, cut methane slip emissions and meet strict international environmental ... Green Car Congress |
Interesting news stories of the day
| Australian shipping emissions identified Eureka! Science News Ship engine exhaust emissions make up more than a quarter of nitrogen oxide emissions generated in the Australian region according to a recently-published study by CSIRO and the Australian Maritime College in Launceston. Nitrogen oxide is a | ||
| ||
| United States: United Nations Convention On Law Of The Sea And Climate ... Power Engineering Magazine The purpose of these provisions is clearly to require parties to regulate emissions from aircraft and marine vessels, which were seen in 1982 as the most significant sources of atmospheric pollution affecting the oceans. Opposition to Ratification ... | ||
| Germany.GMEC: A clear new vision for shipping BYM News (press release) Technical and operational efficiency improvements may lower CO2 emissions from ships by as much as 20 per cent across the global fleet. But even such marked gains in efficiency will not stop the steady increase of total emissions from shipping or meet ... | ||
| ||
| Netherlands. Imtech Marine starts Competence Centre Green Ships BYM News (press release) By 2015, Imtech Marine aims to become one of the top three independent, green technology marine suppliers. Some current developments Imtech Marine implements include hybrid propulsion and HVAC systems as well as energy efficient, low emission ... | ||
| US approval for Rolls-Royce LNG engines bunkerworld (subscription) ... its LNG-powered marine engine range allows ships to comply with Emission Control Area (ECA) requirements and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Tier III rules that come into force in 2016 and the tougher Tier IV emissions limits that ... | ||
| New MAN Four-stroke Diesel Premières at SMM MarineLink The company is introducing the L35/44DF engine at a time where separate emissions legislation for harbours is set to come into play, in addition to the upcoming IMO Tier III emission regulations for marine applications. Accordingly, MAN Diesel & Turbo ... |
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Shipping firms to fight EU emissions proposal - Safety4Sea
Posted - August 29, 2012 - Safety4Sea
Strict EU plans to reduce sulphur emissions from ships are causing growing concern
he region's businesses are putting up a fight against proposed EU plans that could see fuel prices rocket and have a detrimental effect on jobs.
Strict EU plans to reduce sulphur emissions from ships are causing growing concern among businesses in the region.
Now, the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce's Shipping Committee has written to Transport Minister Mike Penning expressing concerns over the impact the limits could have on the region's shipping industry.
Proposed new restraints on the maximum sulphur content of shipping fuels will come into effect in 2015 and under new laws, the maximum sulphur content of fuels used by ships operating in "sulphur emission control areas" - which include the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Channel - will be limited to 0.1 per cent.
This could be a move that would see increases in fuel costs of up to 87 per cent, bringing a serious threat to the industry and its employees. The current limit is 1 per cent.
The chamber's committee, which represents businesses including Associated British Ports, GXD Logistics and LV Shipping, fears impacts could have a negative effect on a number of businesses.
Graham Cross, of Goole-based GXD Logistics and chairman of the Shipping Committee, said the committee accepts the need to progress in reducing the impact of existing fuel on the local environment, in terms of air pollution and effects on health, but businesses are concerned the proposals would come into action too quickly.
Mr Cross said: "There was no phased introduction and no level playing field - there will be issues as a result.
"There needs to be more discussions and a possible phased introduction in conjunction with dialogue from the industries that are going to be affected and engagement with the maritime industry to introduce it in the correct way."
Business leaders have also highlighted concerns over plans resulting in more trade moving by road as the cost of sea transport rises.
Mr Cross said: "We are anticipating a modal shift to transport by road, which will lead to increased congestion, particularly around the ports area.
"Negative consequences may also become apparent for the road haulage sector.
"Profit margins are already incredibly narrow, and with shipping operators needing to increase their charges to customers to cover their own increased costs, road haulage firms may see it necessary to travel longer distances by road to shorter sea crossings."
Dominic Yeardley, of Hull's Eurovision Logistics, said the increase could mean haulage companies lose out on business if they are forced to pass on extra costs to customers as a result.
He said: "This proposed plan opens a whole plethora of potential problems.
"It will affect different industries in different ways but one thing it will do is pass costs on, which is the last thing companies need."
The Shipping Committee has also expressed concerns over the effect on tourism as a result of the plans.
P&O Ferries, which operates about 700 crossings from Hull each year, said prices for longer routes will have to rise substantially as a result of the plans and the business expects the overall market for longer routes to shrink as a result.
John Garner, P&O Ferries fleet director, said the higher cost of ultra-low sulphur fuels means an increased burden on the shipping industry of up to £3.6 billion if the proposals come into force.
He said: "We have already called on the UK Government to act on this issue and work with its European partners to defer the implementation of the proposals so that a full study of the economic, social and environmental impact can be completed.
"We welcome calls from the local business community to urge the Government to put pressure on the European Commission for reconsideration of the legislation."
Post to be found at:
http://www.safety4sea.com/page/12995/22/shipping-firms-to-fight-eu-emissions-proposal
thisisscunthorpe.co.uk
Strict EU plans to reduce sulphur emissions from ships are causing growing concern
he region's businesses are putting up a fight against proposed EU plans that could see fuel prices rocket and have a detrimental effect on jobs.
Strict EU plans to reduce sulphur emissions from ships are causing growing concern among businesses in the region.
Now, the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce's Shipping Committee has written to Transport Minister Mike Penning expressing concerns over the impact the limits could have on the region's shipping industry.
Proposed new restraints on the maximum sulphur content of shipping fuels will come into effect in 2015 and under new laws, the maximum sulphur content of fuels used by ships operating in "sulphur emission control areas" - which include the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Channel - will be limited to 0.1 per cent.
This could be a move that would see increases in fuel costs of up to 87 per cent, bringing a serious threat to the industry and its employees. The current limit is 1 per cent.
The chamber's committee, which represents businesses including Associated British Ports, GXD Logistics and LV Shipping, fears impacts could have a negative effect on a number of businesses.
Graham Cross, of Goole-based GXD Logistics and chairman of the Shipping Committee, said the committee accepts the need to progress in reducing the impact of existing fuel on the local environment, in terms of air pollution and effects on health, but businesses are concerned the proposals would come into action too quickly.
Mr Cross said: "There was no phased introduction and no level playing field - there will be issues as a result.
"There needs to be more discussions and a possible phased introduction in conjunction with dialogue from the industries that are going to be affected and engagement with the maritime industry to introduce it in the correct way."
Business leaders have also highlighted concerns over plans resulting in more trade moving by road as the cost of sea transport rises.
Mr Cross said: "We are anticipating a modal shift to transport by road, which will lead to increased congestion, particularly around the ports area.
"Negative consequences may also become apparent for the road haulage sector.
"Profit margins are already incredibly narrow, and with shipping operators needing to increase their charges to customers to cover their own increased costs, road haulage firms may see it necessary to travel longer distances by road to shorter sea crossings."
Dominic Yeardley, of Hull's Eurovision Logistics, said the increase could mean haulage companies lose out on business if they are forced to pass on extra costs to customers as a result.
He said: "This proposed plan opens a whole plethora of potential problems.
"It will affect different industries in different ways but one thing it will do is pass costs on, which is the last thing companies need."
The Shipping Committee has also expressed concerns over the effect on tourism as a result of the plans.
P&O Ferries, which operates about 700 crossings from Hull each year, said prices for longer routes will have to rise substantially as a result of the plans and the business expects the overall market for longer routes to shrink as a result.
John Garner, P&O Ferries fleet director, said the higher cost of ultra-low sulphur fuels means an increased burden on the shipping industry of up to £3.6 billion if the proposals come into force.
He said: "We have already called on the UK Government to act on this issue and work with its European partners to defer the implementation of the proposals so that a full study of the economic, social and environmental impact can be completed.
"We welcome calls from the local business community to urge the Government to put pressure on the European Commission for reconsideration of the legislation."
Post to be found at:
http://www.safety4sea.com/page/12995/22/shipping-firms-to-fight-eu-emissions-proposal
thisisscunthorpe.co.uk
MHI orders WR Systems' laser emissions monitoring equipment for cruise ships - ship-technology.com
Posted - 3 September 2012 0 ship-technology.com
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has placed an order with WR Systems for its Emsys advanced laser emissions monitoring equipment to be installed on two new cruise ships.
The two 125,000t cruise vessels are the largest ever built for Carnival cruise line's AIDA cruise brand..
WR Systems said that the Emsys monitoring system has a laser-based emissions sensor that enables high accuracy measurement of up to 10 exhaust stacks for NOx, SOx, and CO2.
Emsys can also be configured to measure smoke (opacity), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and methane (CH4).
Currently, carbon monoxide and methane are not covered under IMO Regulations but could be critical in future, as the extensive use of LNG as a marine fuel may bring further challenges regarding air pollution.
WR Systems international maritime business director Simon Brown said that the vessels will be built to high environmental standards and feature new emission-reducing and efficiency-improving technologies.
"The implementation of Emsys will provide real-world verification of the vessels' emissions footprint and allow optimisation of operating performance through continuous emissions monitoring," Brown said.
"Emsys has now been implemented in many critical environmental monitoring applications; we believe our combination of high accuracy laser technology and low operating costs to be a significant contributor to the award of this contract."
Previously, WRSystems had won contracts for Emsys in the cruise sector for monitoring of exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) on two of Royal Caribbean International's 'Freedom' class vessels.
Emsys was developed to help vessel-owners comply with MARPOL Annex VI maritime emissions regulations.
The system can leverage data via GPS and electronic charting to help in-voyage compliance management in Emission Control Area (ECA) zones.
http://www.ship-technology.com/news/newsmhi-orders-wr-systems-laser-emissions-monitoring-equipment-for-cruise-ships/
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has placed an order with WR Systems for its Emsys advanced laser emissions monitoring equipment to be installed on two new cruise ships.
The two 125,000t cruise vessels are the largest ever built for Carnival cruise line's AIDA cruise brand..
WR Systems said that the Emsys monitoring system has a laser-based emissions sensor that enables high accuracy measurement of up to 10 exhaust stacks for NOx, SOx, and CO2.
Emsys can also be configured to measure smoke (opacity), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), and methane (CH4).
Currently, carbon monoxide and methane are not covered under IMO Regulations but could be critical in future, as the extensive use of LNG as a marine fuel may bring further challenges regarding air pollution.
WR Systems international maritime business director Simon Brown said that the vessels will be built to high environmental standards and feature new emission-reducing and efficiency-improving technologies.
"The implementation of Emsys will provide real-world verification of the vessels' emissions footprint and allow optimisation of operating performance through continuous emissions monitoring," Brown said.
"Emsys has now been implemented in many critical environmental monitoring applications; we believe our combination of high accuracy laser technology and low operating costs to be a significant contributor to the award of this contract."
Previously, WRSystems had won contracts for Emsys in the cruise sector for monitoring of exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) on two of Royal Caribbean International's 'Freedom' class vessels.
Emsys was developed to help vessel-owners comply with MARPOL Annex VI maritime emissions regulations.
The system can leverage data via GPS and electronic charting to help in-voyage compliance management in Emission Control Area (ECA) zones.
http://www.ship-technology.com/news/newsmhi-orders-wr-systems-laser-emissions-monitoring-equipment-for-cruise-ships/
Coast Guard Proposes New Rule on Discharges in the Great Lakes - National Law Forum
Posted - September 3, 2012 - National Law Forum Blog
Varnum LLP‘s Timothy J. Lundgren recently had an article, Coast Guard Proposes New Rule on Discharges in the Great Lakes, published in The National Law Review:
The Coast Guard is proposing to replace its interim rule with a new rule to regulate the operation of U.S. and foreign vessels carrying bulk dry cargo (e.g., limestone, iron ore, coal) on U.S. waters of the Great Lakes, and the operation of U.S. bulk dry cargo vessels anywhere on the Great Lakes. The new requirements address the discharge of bulk dry cargo residue (“DCR”). The proposed rule would continue to allow non-hazardous and non-toxic discharges of bulk DCR in limited areas of the Great Lakes. However, vessel owners and operators would need to minimize DCR discharges and document their methods for doing so in DCR management plans. Certain additional DCR discharges currently allowed would be restricted.
The potential for DCR discharges to encourage non-native species, the interaction of this regulation with EPA’s Vessel General Permit and the states’ coastal zone management plans as well as various other laws and treaties, and a variety of other topics are covered in the Federal Register Notice. Comments on the proposed rule can be submitted to the online docket on or before October 29, 2012.
Post to be found at:
http://nationallawforum.com/2012/09/03/coast-guard-proposes-new-rule-on-discharges-in-the-great-lakes
Varnum LLP‘s Timothy J. Lundgren recently had an article, Coast Guard Proposes New Rule on Discharges in the Great Lakes, published in The National Law Review:
The Coast Guard is proposing to replace its interim rule with a new rule to regulate the operation of U.S. and foreign vessels carrying bulk dry cargo (e.g., limestone, iron ore, coal) on U.S. waters of the Great Lakes, and the operation of U.S. bulk dry cargo vessels anywhere on the Great Lakes. The new requirements address the discharge of bulk dry cargo residue (“DCR”). The proposed rule would continue to allow non-hazardous and non-toxic discharges of bulk DCR in limited areas of the Great Lakes. However, vessel owners and operators would need to minimize DCR discharges and document their methods for doing so in DCR management plans. Certain additional DCR discharges currently allowed would be restricted.
The potential for DCR discharges to encourage non-native species, the interaction of this regulation with EPA’s Vessel General Permit and the states’ coastal zone management plans as well as various other laws and treaties, and a variety of other topics are covered in the Federal Register Notice. Comments on the proposed rule can be submitted to the online docket on or before October 29, 2012.
Post to be found at:
http://nationallawforum.com/2012/09/03/coast-guard-proposes-new-rule-on-discharges-in-the-great-lakes
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