IMO measures concerning the protection of the marine environment have been highlighted at the 3rd International Green Marine Summit held in Shanghai, China (24-25 September). Ballast water management, air pollution and energy efficiency, greenhouse gases, black carbon, the Polar Code and ship recycling were all covered in a regulatory update delivered by IMO’s Edmund Hughes.
The focus of the conference reflected IMO’s continuing commitment to the development of energy-efficiency technology. Among the topics examined were gas-fuelled main engines for ships, after-treatment systems for emissions’ control and hull and propulsion design to improve energy efficiency including the increasing use of continuous monitoring and engine control systems to optimise ship fuel consumption. The conference also highlighted the growing impact that these new technologies are having on the operation and management of ships, and that the technologies are likely to require highly trained and motivated crew, whose decisions are supported by shore staff, to ensure that the potential energy-efficiency savings that these technologies offer are fully realised.