Speed limits at sea?

Lowering speeds at sea is one of several factors that reduce the pollution resulting from the shipping industry. MARINTEK has reviewed the options available for limiting the emission of greenhouse gases from international ocean-going vessels. International shipping faces major environment-related challenges. From a long-term perspective, however, MARINTEK believes that the following initiatives can help reduce the shipping industry's emissions of greenhouse gases:

* Standards should be established regulating all emissions into the air from new ships. Currently, the average age of cargo ships world-wide is 18 years. Rebuilding old engines can also be helpful.

* Operational adjustments such as lower cruising speeds at sea can have a significant effect. High speeds result in considerably higher emissions than low speeds.

* Improved coordination of shipping schedules and more effective use of ship capacity, shorter times in harbour and improved harbour facilities would make it more viable to lower speeds in the actual transport phase, reducing the emissions at sea.

* Emission quotas represent a possible approach, but it will take considerable time to gain acceptance for this solution. The study was carried out for the United Nations' shipping agency, IMO. MARINTEK's report will contribute to IMO's recommendations to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Any directive from the IPCC on emissions related to the shipping industry will be an important stimulus for environment-related adjustments for all transport at sea.