TIM eMagazine Volume 3 Issue 8 | Page 59

TIM eMagazine Vol.3 Issue 8 Identifying barriers to cutting emissions through just-in-time operations R educing the amount of time ships spend waiting outside port and at anchor could significantly reduce ship emissions, according to studies carried out by members of the IMO GloMEEP Global Industry Alliance (GIA). Ships can spend hours or days waiting at anchor outside ports, but providing ships with regular updates about the availability of berths, especially in the last twelve hours prior to port arrival, can support significant reductions in ship and port emissions. Implementing “Just-In-Time” ship operations means ships receive information in advance so they can time their arrival at the berth. This can also allow ships to slow down, providing further reduction in the carbon footprint of shipping as well as saving fuel costs. The GIA is looking into the operational and contractual barriers to implementing Just-In-Time operations in order to identify measures that could be taken by all stakeholders (including ships, port authorities, terminal operators, and others) to make Just-In-Time ship operations a global reality. A new GIA video explaining the Just-In-Time concept was shown at IMO Headquarters, during a presentation to delegates on the sidelines of the IMO Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (15-19 October). The video can be viewed here. Presentations on Just-In-Time and barriers to its implementation can be found here. The GIA is a public-private partnership initiative of the IMO under the framework of the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloMEEP Project. It brings together maritime industry leaders to support an energy efficient and low carbon maritime transport system. Leading shipowners and operators, classification societies, engine and technology builders and suppliers, big data providers, oil companies and ports have joined hands under the GIA to collectively identify and develop innovative solutions to address common barriers to the uptake and implementation of energy efficiency technologies and operational measures.  Pushing forward with tackling greenhouse gas emissions An intersessional working group to develop a programme of follow-up actions to IMO’s Initial strategy on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships opened at IMO Headquarters (15 October). The initial strategy, adopted in April this year, sets out a vision to continue to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping and phase them out, as soon as possible - in this century. The strategy provides clear direction to the shipping sector and its partners to stimulate investment in developing low- and zero-carbon fuels and innovative energy-efficient technologies. Opening the session, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim told the meeting that “it is now time to turn the page and embark together in implementing the Initial IMO Strategy…You are cordially encouraged to engage with determination this week, setting up a clear programme, in line with the vision, principles and levels of ambition of the Initial Strategy to make it alive, so that a pro- gramme of follow-up actions can be approved next week when the (Marine Environment Protection) Committee meets.” The intersessional group will report to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 73), which meets next week (22-26 October). MEPC 73 is expected to further develop and approve the proposed action plan. The intersessional meeting is chaired by Mr. Sveinung Oftedal (Norway).  59