“Industry is under continuous pressure to become safer, greener, cleaner and more efficient. For shipping, the increased pressure to reduce costs and improve environmental performance both point to one thing; energy management,” said Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) during his keynote address at the International Conference on Maritime Energy Management(MARENER 2017).
The event took place at the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden from 24 to 25 January, with over 300 participants from 83 countries.
The event was held to discuss the latest developments in maritime energy management in order to achieve a greener and more efficient future for the maritime industry, as part of the commitment to UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The MARENER 2017 addressed the topics of the regulatory framework, energy efficient ship design and operation, energy management in ports and shipyards, the economics of energy efficiency, social and human dimensions of energy management, theoretical aspects of maritime energy management, and alternative fuels and marine renewable energy including ocean energy. A book of selected peer-reviewed papers is expected to be published early next year.
Anna Johansson, Sweden’s Minister for Infrastructure, emphasized that cooperation is key to succeed: “A global industry, such as shipping, cannot be regulated by nations individually…It is essential that government, industry, and academia cooperate to meet the challenges of the future. Cooperation is the way forward for sustainable shipping…Sustainable, clean and energy efficient shipping, as well as profitable shipping, is a part of our common future.”
Johansson stated that Sweden is aiming to be one of the world’s first fossil-free welfare nations and that green shipping is one of the pillars of the future shipping industry.
WMU President, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry stated that the maritime sector would need to work closely with researchers and innovators who can deliver the cutting-edge solutions needed to comply with the new legal requirements.
Sources:
http://www.wmu.se/news/marener-2017-paves-way-towards-sustainable-shipping-industry
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