Shipping industry needs to show what it is doing on GHG emissions: USCG

Shipping industry needs to show what it is doing on GHG emissions: USCG
4 October 2019 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/news/americas/shipping-industry-needs-...

Forward thinking owners and industry players that act today on Greenhouse Gas emissions will make regulators recognise there progress and performance – that was the message from the US Coast Guard at the annual ABS North America Regional Committee.

The reduction of GHG is set to be the biggest issue facing shipping in the coming decades and this was highlighted at the meeting by Jeffrey Lantz, USCG, director of commercial regulations and standards.

“As Greenhouse Gas reduction targets will dominate IMO in the coming years, this affords the maritime industry as a whole a great opportunity to show what they are already doing and can do in the future,” said Lantz. “As environmentally forward-leaning leaders, the actions taken today by owners, operators and classification organisations will require regulators to recognize their progress and positive performance.”

Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS chairman, president and ceo, believes digitalisation can be a key part in reaching decarbonisation goals, but safety of shipping must remain at the core of developments. “As we harness digital technologies and innovation to meet 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation objectives, we will need all of their vision and experience to ensure safety standards are not compromised and keep pace with technological advances,” he stated.

Mark Ross, chairman of the ABS North America Regional Committee and president of Chevron Shipping Company, stressed the importance of coming together to work on solutions. “Shipping faces a range of significant regulatory and technological challenges today. By bringing together the leaders of the North American shipping industry, ABS is able to generate powerful insight into the solutions and services that will help us meet those challenges,” Ross said.