Guardians,
Earlier this week I spent some time at the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA) shipping conference, "Shipping 2010."
From their web site, "The Connecticut Maritime Association is a non-profit organization built by its members for its members. ... As stated in an article published by Fairplay Magazine, it is an Association made of individuals representing every aspect of shipping and international trade. This vibrant volunteer based organization has filled a real need for a forum for serious debate within the U.S. on the problems confronting the international shipping industry. Almost without exception, the (conference) met or exceeded past high standards - these were practical, hard-nosed assessments from top people in the industry - a gathering which can attract the top (leaders) and keep them in their seats has found the right "
I first attended a CMA conference in 1993 when I was Captain of the Port for Long Island Sound and I agree it is an excellent forum to discuss very difficult issues.
At CMA this year I first met with the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), a group of volunteer Port Chaplains who provide support to seafarers. At a breakfast roundtable we discussed seafarer issues including access to shore leave which has been a significant issue following increased security measures after 9/11. Our Captains of the Port work continually with industry to insure that those needing legitimate access to cross regulated facilities are able to do so. Another current issue is seafarers who are abandoned without means to subsist or return to their native country. We continue to work closely together.
Later I participated in a panel discussion entitled "Environmental Pressures that WILL Change our Business." The panel was moderated by Yudhishthir Khatau, President Desginate, BIMCO. Other presenters included Peter Swift - Managing Director of INTERTANKO, CAPT Phil Davies - Director of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), John Mimikakis - Environmental Defense Fund, and Philippe Boisson - Bureau Veritas.
This panel was fascinating and focused on the way ahead in dealing with environmental issues in the maritime transportation industry. At the same time the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was meeting in London. Key issues discussed at both fora included green house gas emissions from ships, ballast water management, and recycling of ships.
The current challenge before the maritime industry is how best to proceed regarding an international system of protocols and agreements to reduce pollution from ships. The recent global conference on climate change in Copenhagen failed to produce a clear agenda in this area. It was the consensus of our panel that industry and individual nations must work quickly through IMO to create a framework to reduce pollution from ships to avoid a disparate collection of unilateral actions taken by individual states or regional governing bodies. Initiatives being considered include an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for new ships, development of Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans, and the voluntary use of a Ship Efficiency Operational Indicator.
Of note, the United States and Canada have jointly proposed at MEPC "amendments to the international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships (MARPOL) which will formally establish a North American Emission Control Area (ECA) in which emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) from ships will be subject to more stringent controls that the limits that apply globally."
We also continue to work on the development of ballast water management regulations consistent with the IMO convention of 2004.
A lot of hard but meaningful work to be done here ... thanks to CMA for creating an opportunity to have the discussion.
ADM A
