Speaker: Professor Stephen de Mora FIMarEST, President, IMarEST
About the presentation:
Professor Stephen de Mora, President of the IMarEST will present a webinar entitled Environmental Impact of Ships. Shipping is essential for global trade, but triggers several environmental consequences. Ships contribute to both air pollution through emissions of, for example CO₂, SO₂ and water contamination. Vessels can distribute invasive species via both ballast water and biofouling. Other deleterious biological effects include ship noise, causing behavioural and physiological stress, and whale strikes.
Physical effects include sediment resuspension, shoreline erosion, and damage to marine habitats. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) leads global efforts to regulate and reduce marine pollution, with conventions like MARPOL and the Ballast Water Management Convention.
Industry supports these regulations and works to ensure their effectiveness. Continued research and collaboration through organisations such as IMarEST, IMO, and GESAMP aim to further reduce shipping’s environmental impact. Key take home messages are that shipping is vital but poses environmental risks. Importantly, international regulation and industry cooperation are key to mitigating these impacts.
