Chennai or Ennore port may go for carbon footprinting - The Hindu

Posted - June 20, 2010 - The Hindu

Soon, either Chennai or Ennore port may go for carbon footprinting as a pilot project. It is planned to determine Green House Gas (GHG) emission sources, track emission trends and generate information needed to take steps for reduction.
The Mercantile Marine Department of the Ministry of Shipping and Energi Services, a carbon footprint consulting company, organised a seminar on Saturday to impart understanding on the concept of carbon footprint of ports and ships, international regulations and work out reduction strategies.
“The idea is to prepare the country's shipping industry to adapt itself to the regulations of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in future,” said R. Kannan, Chief Consultant, Energi Services. The shipping industry could gain from the Maritime Emissions Trading Scheme, a system for CO2 emissions trading in international shipping, and International Compensation Fund for GHG emissions from ships, he says.
The International Association of Ports and Harbours has formed a consortium called World Port Climate Initiative as the CO2 emissions of world fleet of merchant vessels could climb to 6 per cent in 2020 from 2.7 per cent in 2009 if actions are not taken.
“A carbon footprint of the port will reveal the amount of GHG emissions directly and indirectly released over a measured period providing valuable information on emission reduction strategies. There is a need to evolve strategies on GHG emission reduction on a localised basis,” Mr. Kannan said.
At the seminar, delegates representing all types of businesses related to shipping and logistics were informed of the increasing demand for carbon footprint or products and services and methods to identify carbon hotspots and where to focus carbon reduction strategies.

EU greenhouse gasses more than half way to target by 2020

Posted - Maritime & Energy.com -

The European Union's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory report, compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA), shows that emissions have not only continued their downward trend in 2008, but have also picked up pace.

The EU-27's emissions stood 11.3 % below their 1990 levels, while EU-15 achieved a reduction of 6.9 % compared to Kyoto base-year levels.

The GHG inventory report shows that the EU is well on track to meet its emission reduction targets with domestic policy measures only. Our policies and tools seem to be working' said Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the EEA. 'Although we are expecting an even sharper decline in 2009, caused mainly by the recession, we need to ensure that the downward trend in emissions continues and that Europe boosts its climate investments, with the ultimate aim of achieving a more resource-efficient economy.'

The combination of high coal and carbon prices accompanied by a drop in natural gas prices in 2008 induced heat and electricity producers to replace more polluting coal by gas and as a result, reduce their GHG emissions. The use of biomass and other renewable sources (wind and hydroelectric power) has also increased significantly in 2008. The economic recession, which started during the second half of the year, also contributed to emission reductions from several sectors including the manufacturing and construction, and road transport sectors. Road transport emissions were also affected by high oil prices, the continued decline in gasoline consumption and a reversal of the upward trend in diesel sales....

Complete Story at: http://www.maritimeandenergy.com/sider/tekst.asp?side=6880

Green recycling contract takes shape

Posted 17.06.10 BIMCO - Press Release

BIMCO’s draft RECYCLECON ship recycling contract for the disposal of ships in an environmentally sound manner is now beginning to take shape. At a meeting in London on 9 June, a specialist Sub-committee of ship recycling experts put together the core clauses that will form the bedrock of the new contract. The RECYCLECON form will retain the trademark BIMCO box layout part 1, although this will be a shortened version containing a simple summary of the contract’s key variable information. An annex to the contract will contain a detailed standard questionnaire for the vessel description, mirroring current practice in the trade.

The contract is aimed at encouraging owners to recycle their vessels in a safe and environmentally sound manner that excludes beaching of the vessel. The contract will function in the interim period before the IMO Convention on ship recycling comes into force as well as after the Convention becomes binding. As such, RECYCLECON will follow all appropriate guidelines, such as those issued by IMO on recycling. In the absence of legally binding requirements, the contract will provide users with a template for the correct way to recycle a ship in a safe and environmentally friendly way.
Complete Press Release at - https://www.bimco.org/en/Members/News/General_News/2010/06/17_Green_recycling_contract_takes_shape.aspx

DNV Research and Innovation takes lead on ship carbon capture - HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS WORLDWIDE

Posted - Tuesday, 08 June 2010 - HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS WORLDWIDE

Established in 2008 and being in strategic cooperation with the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), DNV Research & Innovation Greece works to provide solutions to enable Greek shipowners’ access to innovative green technologies and quality decision support tools In 2009, DNV partnered with Process Systems Enterprise Ltd, one of the world's foremost providers of process modeling technology, to initiate the Maritime CCS (Carbon Capture & Storage) project. The project has received support and funding from the EU, the UK’s Technology Strategy Board and the Norwegian Research Council under the Eureka-Eurostars’ instrument, established to encourage international collaborative research and development projects.
According to Nikolaos Kakalis, Head of DNV Research & Innovation Greece, the Maritime CCS project develops an onboard process for chemical capture and temporary storage of CO2 emissions for ships in transit until discharge into transmission and storage infrastructures at the next suitable port.
“Carbon capture at sea is a completely new concept, with no current end-to-end solution available” he says. “Our challenge is to manage issues relating to the unique marine environment, limited space onboard, constant movement, energy efficiency, and strict safety and environmental requirements. The solution must not only manage these issues, but should be relatively easy to install, operate and maintain”.
Complete Story at:
http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=105008&Itemid=95

Solar Power 'Sets Sail' in Shanghai - MarketWatch.com

Posted - June 5, 2010 - MarketWatch.com

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. the world's largest producer of crystalline silicon solar panels, today launched the Suntech-Guosheng solar sailor on the Huangpu River in Shanghai. The innovative 31.5 meter solar-powered passenger vessel features proprietary 'solarsail' technology developed by Australia-based Solar Sailor, a leading innovator in maritime solar technology. The eco-friendly vessel will cruise the Huangpu River for the Shanghai World Expo, inspiring visitors to embrace the event's theme of "Better City, Better Life."
At the launch ceremony, attended by the Communist Party of China Central Committee Party Secretary of Shanghai, Mr. Zhengsheng Yu, Suntech also announced it has designated Shanghai as another location for the expansion of its high performance crystalline silicon manufacturing technology.
"To meet the soaring global demand for Suntech's solar products, we plan to add 1,000MW of crystalline silicon cell and module production capacity at our Shanghai facility within the next three years," said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech's Founder, Chairman, and CEO. "Today, there is no question that solar power has officially set sail in Shanghai."
The Suntech-Guosheng is one of several Shanghai Expo attractions to feature advanced solar technology, as both the China Pavilion and Theme Pavilion are also powered by Suntech's industry-leading solar products. The operator of the Suntech-Guosheng is the Shanghai Guosheng Group, an investment firm owned by the Shanghai government and co-developer of the Expo's Corporate Pavilion.
Complete Story at:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/solar-power-sets-sail-in-shanghai-2010-06-05?reflink=MW_news_stmp

EU flies past mid way point in race to deliver 20 per cent carbon cuts - BusinessGreen

Posted - Jessica Shankleman, BusinessGreen, 04 Jun 2010

Report shows EU has already cut carbon emissions by 11 per cent since 1990

The European Union has already passed the half way mark on the way to meeting its goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20 per cent oin 1990 levels by 2020, according to a new EU report issued this week.
The Greenhouse gas 1990 – 2008 and inventory report 2010 from the European Environment Agency (EEA) states that total emissions from the EU's 27 member states stood 11.3 per cent below their 1990 levels at the end of 2008, while the 15 most recent EU member states delivered cuts of 6.9 per cent.
"The GHG inventory report shows that the EU is well on track to meet its emission reduction targets with domestic policy measures only," said EEA executive director Jacqueline McGlade. "Our policies and tools seem to be working."
The report admitted that the recession was a major driver of the emission reductions delivered in 2008, contributing to a first-time fall in emissions from international aviation and maritime transport since 1992...
Complete Story at:
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2264174/eu-passes-mid-way-point-ghg

Ships 'major source' of fumes James Bay association wants vessels to use cleaner fuels - Times Colonist

Posted By Bill Cleverley, Times Colonist June 3, 2010

Cruise ships coming into Victoria should be required to use cleaner fuels, says the James Bay Neighborhood Association. The group also wants the city to consider staggering ship visits to improve air quality.
"The major source of sulfur-dioxide fumes in Victoria [is] the cruise ships," said chairman Tim Van Alstine. "That's not to say let's throw the baby out with the bathwater but if there's anything you can do to mitigate [you should]."
Results of air-quality research and dispersion modeling by the Vancouver Island Health Authority and province show 2009 sulfur dioxide levels at triple the values predicted, the association says.
From June through August, 24-hour sulfur-dioxide values exceeded World Health Organization maximum levels on almost a quarter of days when ships were in port. High levels of sulfur dioxide in the air can cause respiratory problems, especially for those with asthma.
Complete Article at:
Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/health/Ships+major+source+fumes/3106175/story.html#ixzz0ptTIYHwA