The debate on reducing harmful atmospheric emissions from shipping started in response to a UK government White Paper on port infrastructure has lead to a series of productive meetings on the topic. The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) recently played host to the third roundtable talk in the series.
“We are delighted that our members are taking such an active role on such an important topic,” says Keith Read CBE, Chief Executive of IMarEST. “It was felt that not enough consideration had been given by the discussion Paper to the impact of ports and their growth with respect to ambient air quality. IMarEST Fellow and Director of Environment at BP Marine, Don Gregory chaired the most recent roundtable; and other members who have been actively involved in the discussions include Andy Osbourne, Krystallion (one of our Marine Partner companies), Gillian Reynolds of Lloyds Register and Ian Butterworth from AMJ Solicitors.
“Publicising members’ involvement in key meetings such as these is very much part of our Marine Voices campaign, positioning the Institute and its members at the forefront and as the leading ‘voice’ on marine-related matters – even if views expressed are not those of the IMarEST. As the hosting of this most recent roundtable demonstrates, the IMarEST provides a platform for professionals to discuss and exchange ideas and practices, as well as promoting the scientific development of marine engineering, science and technology.”
The history of the meetings
The inaugural UK roundtable meeting took place in March of this year and was organised by Shipping Emissions Abatement and Trading (SEAaT), a cross-industry self-funding group, whose mission is to encourage and facilitate the efficient reduction of harmful atmospheric emissions from shipping.
SEAaT believes collaboration is the key component in any project addressing environmental challenges, which is why it is inviting ports, shipping operators, regulatory bodies and NGOs to combine efforts to find effective solutions to reduce emissions.
Addressing delegates at the first meeting, keynote speaker Dr Stephen Ladyman, the Transport Minister, stressed the importance of ‘embedding the use of new technology’ in order for shipping to retain its reputation as an efficient and benign way of moving goods. He went on to point out there was a strong need to develop new methods for collecting data and measuring environmental performance. He urged the industry to come forward with its own recommendations, thus setting in motion a review of what could be done in the way of technology and economic instruments to reduce the impact of air quality on human health and the environment.
The purpose of the third roundtable discussion was for participants to finalise an information paper outlining the potential emissions trading solutions discussed at the second meeting that took place during the Cruise & Ferry conference in May. Participants also worked to develop a strategy for presenting this paper to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other industry stakeholders, following the proceedings of the 56th Marine Environmental Protection Committee meeting.
Don Gregory who chaired the meeting, believes that the event has gained credibility and support within the industry, and will continue to build up momentum in the coming months. This, he says, is because unlike many of the other groups addressing emissions from shipping ‘we are bringing people together in comfortable and non-confrontational surroundings to have free and candid discussion’.
“We are delighted that such a worthwhile discussion has taken place under the Institute’s roof,” says Keith Read.
Further information available from Dr Bev MacKenzie bev.mackenzie@imarest.org or Suki Kalsi suki.kalsi@imarest.org at IMarEST. Tel: +44 (0)20 7382 2600
