INTERCARGO, the trade body representing dry cargo ship operators, has acknowledged the technical and operational measures adopted at MEPC 76 to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping, but warns that there can be no compromise when it comes to safety.
Dilemma to improve operational performance
Dimitris Fafalios, Chairman of INTERCARGO said, “We note the measures adopted by IMO thus far but must remind the industry that bulk carriers are highly efficient, and already operate within very tightly defined technical and operational parameters.”
He added, “Bulk operators are faced with the very real dilemma of determining exactly how to further improve the operational performance of already efficient ships, especially following adoption of the technological solutions currently available.”
“Imposing further technical and operational constraints beyond given limits that cannot be overridden in practice, inevitably brings forward safety considerations that cannot be ignored. INTERCARGO will be closely looking into these safety dimensions associated with shipping’s decarbonisation and will bring them forward to IMO’s Committees as needed for their due consideration,” he also said.
IMO measures to reduce carbon intensity
INTERCARGO has actively participated in the IMO deliberations leading up to MEPC 76, expressing the views of its members on the short-term measures developed by IMO for carbon intensity reduction.
The Association is fully committed to IMO’s strategy and ambition in reducing GHG emissions by ships and will continue to represent the views of quality owners and operators in the bulk carrier sector.
Concerns on practicality
The world bulk carrier fleet has made significant contributions to the reduction of GHG. It has already achieved approximately 30% or 40% reductions in carbon intensity (compared to 2008) depending on the method of calculation. Further cuts will be challenging and potential effects on safety will need to be closely monitored.
For calculating a vessel’s Energy Efficiency Index (EEXI), the use of 83% MCR limited as the power of main engines may have significant safety consequences. Initial calculations indicate that some bulkers may have to limit their power by 40%.
Although the power limitation is overridable, INTERCARGO has concerns on how this will work in practice especially when minimum safe power, crew, vessel, and cargo safety are considered.
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Source: INTERCARGO
