The green transformation of the maritime sector is a top priority for Cyprus shipping but also a race against time, to find alternative fuels and energy sources.
Although shipping remains one of the most carbon-efficient modes of commercial transport, it respects the important environmental targets set internationally and regionally and most importantly the urgency to safeguard our marine environment. Nevertheless, there are serious issues that hinder the decarbonisation efforts of the shipping industry, as the targets are approaching fast.
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Shipping as a purely globalised industry, must be regulated globally by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). European ship owners however, also have to deal with EU legislation, that introduces regional requirements and creates additional operational problems and competition issues with shipowners outside Europe. It is therefore necessary to adopt realistic and feasible measures that will be effective and will enable progress in achieving the levels of ambition established in the original strategy of the IMO for zero emissions from ships.
A way forward for the shipping industry, focusing on marine technology research and innovation, is expected to address the knowledge gap and global challenges, such as those related to climate change and sustainable development, including carbon footprint reduction that will improve energy efficiency. It is very clear that investing more in the fields of research, technology and innovation is an essential move for shipping to keep up with an increasingly competitive and changing environment. Intelligent digital solutions and the development of alternative fuels are necessary elements of shipping’s green transition process.
The development of new technologies, through increased automation and digitalisation, by obtaining and utilising shipping big data from ship operations, will transform the industry and improve business processes. These new technologies can create opportunities like increased efficiency, safety in shipping operations, future improvement in ship design and increased environmental performance.
The above complexities involving shipping’s successful and safe transition to a “greener era” calls for a mixture of synergies among the public and private sector, academia and call for private and public funding, in order to facilitate investment in developing the required green shipping technologies.
Shipping’s green transition also requires a unified industry “voice” and close collaboration across and beyond the maritime industry, between ship owners and operators, as well as shipping stakeholders such as fuel producers, engine manufacturers, shipyards and port operators, to meet the new regulations and improve operating efficiencies. The recent pandemic brought a sense of togetherness and a closer collective effort to overcome major difficulties. Working collaboratively, sharing knowledge, experiences and most importantly sharing a common vision on how we can safeguard a sustainable future for shipping during its green transition, is of utmost importance.
Appreciating the ongoing international efforts and negotiations at the IMO and on a regional level at EU towards the sector’s decarbonisation, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber looks forward to working with the Cyprus Maritime Administration, who sit on the Council of the IMO, the European Parliament, the European Commission and other stakeholders in order to address the challenges and contribute to the decision-making process.
As from January 2022 and for the first time in the history of Cyprus shipping the Chamber, through the election of its representatives and as President of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and Vice President of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), has an even stronger voice and involvement in the formulation of shipping policies on a European and international level respectively, on important environmental issues, proving Cyprus shipping’s priority to contribute to the protection of our environment.
Our aim remains for a sustainable and environmentally friendly shipping sector by developing rules that are not only environmentally ambitious in theory but also workable in practice and compatible with our industry’s composite and international characteristics.
* President Cyprus Shipping Chamber