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).
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