Environment

IMO: Postponing GHG reduction strategy ‘not an option’

Positive outcome from Intersessional Working Group on GHG reduction is key to future work of IMO, says Secretary-General.

Published

7 years ago

April 5, 2018

Admin

The below is an opening statement from IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim addressing delegates at a recent meeting to work on the reduction of GHG emissions from ships:

It is a pleasure for me to welcome you to the third session of the Intersessional Working Group on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

I know that you have a heavy workload this week and I am sure that you all wish to start working together as soon as possible, so I will be very brief and direct.

The decision by the MEPC and endorsed by the IMO Council to establish this intersessional working group was made because of the importance and significance of the subject matter.

The Organization needed you to have a robust discussion during the first meeting as a basis for defining the outline of the strategy. You have done that.

It needed you to identify core elements and start developing text for the draft Initial Strategy during the second meeting – and you have done that, too.

Now you are called upon to finalize the draft Initial Strategy for adoption next week at MEPC. I would like to take this opportunity to express my wholehearted appreciation to all of you for the thoughtful and positive contribution during the past journey of challenges.

I have met many of you since the last intersessional meeting and I have listened carefully to your views and proposals on how best to proceed with the finalization of the Initial Strategy. During these conversations, I have been impressed by the strong support you have shown for the process and the willingness you have expressed to adopt the Initial Strategy at MEPC 72 next week. Importantly, you have indicated the need for compromise, if we are to succeed.

Chair, distinguished delegates,

If you allow me I’d like to draw on an analogy which I think should guide your negotiations. This is inspired by the COLREGs – the maritime “rules of the road”: any action by a ship to avoid collision shall be “positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship”. Therefore my message is that you do not wait for the last minute at MEPC to make the compromises and find the solutions.

I also wish to express a word of caution: postponing the adoption of the Initial Strategy, to a future session of MEPC, should not be an option. We have already approved the roadmap for developing a comprehensive strategy on reducing GHG emissions from ships, and this roadmap includes adoption of an Initial Strategy at next week’s Committee meeting. You are cordially invited to remember that a positive outcome from this group is key to a success next week, and for the future work of this Organization.

Chair, distinguished delegates,

I exhort you: work together this week, and the adoption of the Initial Strategy next week will be a success for us all. Never before has a meeting generated such great interest – not only within the maritime community but far beyond, as well. Your task will not be easy at times; the stakes are high and the expectations even higher. However, I am confident that, with IMO’s renowned spirit of cooperation and your esteemed wisdom and under the able leadership of your Chair, Mr. Sveinung Oftedal of Norway, you will rise to the challenge, respond to the expectations and, thus, serve well the worthy cause of protecting and preserving the environment.

Photo credit: International Maritime Organization
Published: 5 April, 2018

LNG Bunkering

China: Ningbo Zhoushan Port completes first LNG bunkering operation for 2025

Bunkering vessel “Hai Yang Shi You 302” supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres of LNG bunker fuel to containership “MSC Adya” at the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port port on 5 January.

Published

3 days ago

January 10, 2025

Admin

China: Ningbo Zhoushan Port completes first LNG bunkering operation for 2025

Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone Zhoushan Area on Wednesday (8 January) said Ningbo-Zhoushan Port successfully completed its first LNG bunkering operation for the year.

Bunkering vessel Hai Yang Shi You 302 supplied more than 10,000 cubic metres (m3) of LNG bunker fuel to containership MSC Adya at the port on 5 January.

Zhejiang Seaport International Trading, the bunker supplier for the operation, successfully obtained the Zhoushan Anchorage LNG bunkering licence in June 2024, extending refuelling services from dock to sea.

The company’s services cover Meishan, Chuanshan, Daxie and other port areas.

As China's first river-sea LNG transport and bunkering ship, Hai Yang Shi You is currently placed permanently at Ningbo Zhoushan Port, providing a variety of bunkering methods such as ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore.

Zhejiang Seaport International Trading will continue to expand the scope of bonded LNG bunkering operations and new alternative fuels such as green methanol, ammonia and biofuels in the Zhoushan Area.

Photo credit: Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone Zhoushan Area
Published: 10 January, 2025

Nuclear

VARD and partners team up to explore nuclear propulsion for shipping

Project, which involves Knutsen Tankers and DNV, will evaluate fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for their viability in commercial shipping applications.

Published

3 days ago

January 10, 2025

Admin

VARD and partners team up in project to explore nuclear propulsion for shipping

Norway-based shipbuilder VARD on Friday (3 January) said it has partnered with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Ålesund, Norway and other key stakeholders in the NuProShip I project, which explores nuclear propulsion for the maritime sector.

NuProShip, short for "Nuclear Propulsion in Shipping," will evaluate fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for their viability in commercial shipping applications.

In this project, an extensive assessment of 99 companies developing advanced reactor technologies led to the selection of three promising reactor types:

Kairos Power (USA): Fluoride high-temperature molten salt reactor using Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles, designed for robust and efficient operation.
Ultrasafe (USA): Helium-cooled gas reactor, also employing TRISO fuel particles, known for their resilience and safety in extreme conditions.
Blykalla (Sweden): Lead-cooled reactor concept utilizing uranium oxide as fuel, offering high efficiency with advanced cooling mechanisms.

VARD said TRISO fuel particles, noted for their durability and containment properties, play a crucial role in two of these reactor types.

“TRISO technology in fact, is renowned as one of the most resilient nuclear fuel types available today,” it added.

Alongside VARD, the NuProShip project is supported by other partners, including DNV, the Norwegian Maritime Administration, ship owner Knutsen Tankers, and the Spanish nuclear consultancy IDOM.

VARD’s primary contribution involves integrating these reactor systems into various vessel types, assessing the technical challenges to enable the future commercial use of nuclear-powered ships.

Photo credit: VARD
Published: 10 January, 2025

LNG Bunkering

Monjasa achieves milestone with first LNG bunkering operation in UAE

Monjasa-operated LNG bunker vessel “Green Zeebrugge” successfully delivered around 3,000 cubic meters of LNG marine fuel to Costa Cruises’ cruise ship “Costa Smeralda” on 4 January.

Published

4 days ago

January 9, 2025

Admin

Monjasa achieves milestone with first LNG bunkering operation in UAE

Marine fuel supplier Monjasa on Wednesday (8 January) announced the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) and the Middle East region’s first LNG bunkering operation, which took place on 4 January at Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal B together with Costa Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation.

On this occasion, the Monjasa-operated LNG bunker vessel Green Zeebrugge went alongside the cruise ship Costa Smeralda and successfully delivered around 3,000 cubic meters of LNG.

On 18 December 2024, Monjasa announced the charter of the 5,000 m3 vessel Green Zeebrugge for operations in the UAE.

About a week later, on 26 December, Green Zeebrugge arrived in Dubai waters following the departure from Amsterdam in November.

The vessel was inspected by the authorities in Port Rashid on 27 December 2024, and the official bunkering permits were issued to Monjasa by the Dubai Maritime Authority and Dubai Ports Authority.

Monjasa Group CEO, Anders Østergaard, said: “We are excited about this first successful supply operation and to pioneer LNG as a new marine fuel option in the UAE.”

“However, reaching this milestone was only possible through the close collaboration of our forward-thinking partners at Carnival and Costa Cruises, ADNOC L&S and the UAE’s federal and local authorities, who are constantly embracing maritime innovation.”

“Together, we are all striving to position the UAE as a leading shipping hub in alternative fuels too.”

Photo credit: Monjasa
Published: 9 January, 2025