BIMCO proposes limits on ships’ power

Written by Nick Blenkey
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A proposal submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by BIMCO would regulate the propulsion power of ships in order to sustain the greenhouse gas emissions savings already achieved through slower steaming.

BIMCO notes that while ships’ speed is the single most important variable influencing their CO2 emissions, there are different views as to which regulatory measure is best in terms of to enforcement and achieving a curbing of emissions.

Measuring a ship’s speed is not an accurate exercise, however limiting ships’ propulsion power can be controlled accurately and has a close correlation to speed.

“While it is imperative to ensure the GHG emissions savings through slower steaming are sustained, it is also important that owners are incentivized to innovate,” says Lars Robert Pedersen, BIMCO Deputy Secretary General.

Setting a limit for ships’ power has already been suggested by Japan. BIMCO recommends the power limit should be derived for each shipping sector from an assumed performance of an average ship sailing at current average trading speed within each sector.

The proposal will be introduced at an intersessional meeting of the IMO working group on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships being held in London, October 11-15.

Copenhagen-headquartered BIMCO is the world’s largest international shipping association.

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