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September 2008
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CONS.A.R. ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM
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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
September 30th 2008 - Rising tanker traffic threatening the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Sea is facing increasing risk of pollution as tanker traffic rises. According to a study commissioned by the EU, ship traffic in the Mediterranean, which reportedly already accounts for 15% of global ship traffic, will increase 23% in the next decade. Oil tankers are expected to account for the larger segment of that increase. The projected increase in tanker traffic through the Mediterranean would stem from rising oil exportation from the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Meanwhile, reports have also highlighted the Mediterranean's status as a transit route as another factor putting it at greater risk of pollution and environmental accidents, since ships coming from outside are much bigger than the ones which operate exclusively in the basin.
Bunkerworld
September 25th 2008 - Bunker Convention
Next November 21st the International Convention about the civil liability for the pollution caused by the bunker will officially enter into force.
Current international regimes which regulate the compensation to the victims of a hydrocarbon pollution exclusively refer to tankers and their transported load. The entering into force of the Convention will also regulate the liability and the consequent compensation in relation to damages for the pollution due to the fuel leakage from the ship.
From the next November 21st all the ships up to 1000 GT registered in a State which has ratified the Convention (at the moment 22 States which represent the 28,83% of the global tonnage - Italy is not among these) will be required to have a certificate on board which could prove the insurance, or any other financial guarantee, suitable for the covering of the liability of the ship for the pollution damages.
The complete text of the Bunker Convention is Available clicking here.
Confitarma - Gestione Tecnica Navi
September 25th 2008 - Mediterranean Sea "Special Area"
IMO MEPC Committee during the 57th session adopted a resolution about the Mediterranean Sea, which is already designed as a "Special Area" for the MARPOL Annex V but that will officially adopt this status from May 1st 2009.
In the so-called Special Areas particular regulations about pollution prevention of the sea from garbage are taken.
With reference to the Regulation 6 of the Annex, in these areas:
a) disposal into the sea of the following is prohibited:
i) all plastics, including but not limited to synthetic ropes, synthetic fishing nets, plastic garbage bags and incinerator ashes from plastic products which may contain toxic or heavy metal residues; and
ii) all other garbage, including paper products, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery, dunnage, lining and packing materials;
b) disposal into the sea of food wastes shall be made as far as practicable from land, but in any case not less than 12 nautical miles from the nearest land.
Confitarma - Gestione Tecnica Navi
September 19th 2008 - Ship design must allow flexible speeds
High or volatile oil process and environmental concerns point the need for new shipping design capable of operating efficiently at different speeds. Soaring bunker prices has seen a number of container ships employ slow steaming strategies to cut fuel consumption in recent months. Because of the potential for cutting fuel consumption, slow steaming has also been put forward as a significant tool in the quest to reduce shipping emissions of CO2. The classification societies has warned that running ships below their optimum power outputs requires extra care. It also warned that a saving on fuel with slow steaming could cause a NOx penalty. In addition this strategy is a waste of engine capacity and a capital cost penalty to carry unused power potential. To address these issues the industry needs flexible designs capable of operating most effectively across different power output bands.
Bunkerworld
September 10th 2008 - Shipowners turn to green technologies
A survey questioned among German and international shipowners showed that two thirds had already introduced environmental management procedures into their companies.
Around 86% would consider using new coatings and enhanced propoeller design sto help cut back on fuel consumption.
Many of those questioned confirmed they were turning to greener shipping technologies as a way of not only reducing emissions but also to cut their fuel costs. Around 23% believe that the SkySails towing kite system will play a bigger role in the future of shipping and 65% believe that a CO2 index for vessels would help form the basis to include shipping into emissions trading.
Bunkerworld
September 9th 2008 - ARB could enforce speed limits
Vessels could be forced to reduce speeds to 12 knots within 24 to 40 nautical miles (NM) of the California coastline, if the latest proposals by the California Air Resource Board (ARB) are given approval.
The main target is to reduce ship emission through the speed reduction. Two approaches were discussed by the board: The first consist in a voluntary programme to encourage vessels operators and owners to reduce speed to 12 knots within 24 or 40 nm of the major ports and along busy shipping channels; the second would involve a regulatory speed reductions.
Using data provided by a number of shipping companies, ARB said that reducing speed to 12 knots would see a reduction in emissions between 14 and 21%. If the reduction within 40 nm will be approved, PM decreased by 27 tonnes per day, SOx saw a reduction of 20.1 tonnes, and CO2 decreased by 1235 tonnes a day.
Bunkerworld
September 5th 2008 - A new technology to cut fuel consumption
The world's second larger shipbuilders, Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., has begun marketing a fuel saving device that could see ship-owners save up to $1M per ship each year.
The new device is called Saver Fin and is able to reduce fuel consumption by 4-6% and halves the hull vibration level. The reduction in vibration levels will stabilise the vessel and reduce the incidence of machinery damage.
Bunkerworld
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