Full steam ahead for cleaner European ships

Gas-guzzling cars and cheap flights are two forms of transport that attract the most ire from green campaigners. In contrast, shipping has barely been scrutinised by policymakers and has enjoyed a fairly good reputation when it comes to the environment.

The sector is reported (by shipping groups) to be the cleanest way to transport goods per kilometre.

Does shipping deserve this green image? Recent figures suggests that the sector’s environmental credentials are not quite as good as they look. Shipping can be a carbon efficient way of transporting goods, but it has a worse record on other pollutants. The standard fuel used in ships is dirtier than that used by other forms of transport, such as cars, as it contains more sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. According to the Commission’s research, by 2010, sulphur dioxide emissions from ships in European waters are likely to account for 75% of all emissions from land-based sources. The European Commission already regulates these atmospheric pollutants through a number of directives.

But it is carbon emissions, which are relatively untouched by international agreements, that are most keenly debated. Earlier this month, the issue gained momentum when the marine arm of BP published some calculations, putting the contribution of shipping to greenhouse gas emissions at 5% - more than aviation. This compares with other figures which suggest that shipping contributed 4% to EU emissions in 2002. BP Marine also estimated that emissions would grow by 75% in the next 10-20 years if current trade trends continue.

The International Maritime Organization, a UN agency, rejects these figures. A spokesperson said that BP’s data was based on "suppositions and hypotheses". The IMO has no up-to-date figures of its own; its most recent study shows that global shipping was responsible for 1.8% of greenhouse gas emissions in 1996. But global trade has grown briskly since then and shows no sign of slowing down. For instance, there are 4,000 large container ships carrying goods on the seas today, but a further 1,500 on order. The IMO is doing studies of the levels of carbon emissions and a review of how they are regulated. Its spokesperson said that until it has collected the data, it cannot reach concrete conclusions as to what action is necessary, although discussions are ongoing.

Satu Hassi, a Finnish Green MEP, thinks that policymakers have enough data to know they need to do something. "It is obvious that CO2 from shipping needs to be tackled," she said. The Commission seems to agree. Last week it said it would extend the EU emissions trading scheme to the maritime sector by the end of the year, if no international agreement can be reached. This is a move the European Parliament looks ready to support. Last year, the Parliament supported a report by the UK?Green MEP Caroline Lucas, to create a separate closed emissions trading scheme for aviation, and a majority of MEPs are expected to support similar measures for shipping. Hassi said that the first priority was an international agreement, but she was sure the Parliament would back unilateral emissions if this was not forthcoming.

This all suggests that a new front has opened in the battle to reduce global warming. The industry has few options for low carbon fuels, so will have to buy more fuel-efficient ships and engines in future. Growing political interest means that Europe’s shipping companies cannot afford to rest on their reputation any longer.

Gas-guzzling cars and cheap flights are two forms of transport that attract the most ire from green campaigners. In contrast, shipping has barely been scrutinised by policymakers and has enjoyed a fairly good reputation when it comes to the environment.