Shipping industry needs environmental regulation

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) met this week in London to work out how the shipping industry can reduce its carbon footprint.

The committee considered proposals to recycle end of life ships, and discussed how ships can cut back on the level of harmful emissions that they pump into the atmosphere.

Sea travel is the most carbon efficient way to transport largo cargoes over long distances. However, ship engines do emit large quantities of particularly dirty and harmful gases.

The MEPC wants to see the shipping industry get tough on emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur, and particulate matter. This could be done either through international, legally binding codes of conduct, or through self regulation within the shipping industry.

The committee also wants recycling regulations for ships to be implemented, and for ships to be designed with the environment in mind.

Recycling regulations would mean that ship owners would only be allowed to use certified ship breaking yards to dispose of their ships. These certified years would have to meet environmental and safety standards, and agree to open reporting.