Don't overlook the ferry sector

THE International Maritime Organization (IOM) took several big decisions at its April Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting. The most important was undoubtedly the commitment to adopt an initial strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. IMO committed to reducing GHG emissions from international shipping and, "as a matter of urgency", aims to phase them out as soon as possible in this century.

That was a huge step; and in the overall scheme of things, much more important than anything else.

However MEPC also considered and decided on several other major issues, some connected with the work that IMO has already been doing for some time on improving energy efficiency, and thus reducing GHGs. In particular, it looked at aspects of its now mandatory Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). The EEDI requires that, by certain dates, all types of new ships built for international operation must be more energy efficient than the average of existing designs in their respective trades.