Page 30 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2024
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EUROPEAN SHIPPING
IMO must also deliver a regulatory framework, However, scaling up is necessary and requires
including a fuel standard and a pricing mecha- the commitment of the entire value chain,
nism. We need to bridge the gap between the from fuel producers, engine manufacturers,
cost of fossil and green fuels in an intelligent and ports to shipowners, which may prove
and efficient manner. challenging. Scaling up would facilitate the
commercialisation of ammonia engines or
❸ Are there any viable solutions for the hydrogen production, which may serve as a
decarbonisation of shipping, partic- basis for e-fuels.
ularly in the short-sea shipping sec- Many interesting and promising develop-
tor? ments are taking place, but there is still a long
Two main paths must be followed: energy way to go before the green fuels necessary to
efficiency and adopting green fuels and pro- decarbonise shipping are available.
pulsion systems. There are still benefits to be The ETS, along with FuelEU, can be the
gained from better energy efficiency, as the answer to the industry’s “chicken-and-egg”
cleanest energy is the energy not used. This situation. These initiatives constitute a crucial
is a vital issue within the IMO, as the Carbon step in creating incentives for shipowners and
Intensity Index (CII) and the ETS will act as an As major energy producers to secure both demand and
incentive in this regard. players supply of green fuels. Therefore, I am confi-
However, focusing solely on energy efficiency in European dent that a market will emerge.
does not necessarily tackle the issue of abso- shipping,
lute emissions, which is crucial to minimising Greece ❺ In a survey conducted by Dan-
climate impact. In this context, adopting green and Denmark ish Shipping in 2023, an alarming
fuels is paramount for the industry to achieve have built number of incidents of harassment
climate neutrality by 2050. a solid on Danish-flagged ships were
A major challenge we face is scale. Many more relationship recorded. As the issue of inclusion
green fuels are required than are currently of mutual is becoming increasingly relevant
being produced, and production facilities and respect over in shipping, what strategies are you
infrastructure for these fuels need to be built. the years. implementing to prevent and man-
Nevertheless, this issue does not pertain solely We anticipate age such incidents?
to the shipping sector; collaboration with this Everyone, regardless of gender, nationality,
public authorities, infrastructure parties, and relationship or sexual orientation, should be able to work
energy providers is essential to the success of will only safely onboard a Danish-flagged ship without
the green transition. strengthen fearing bullying or harassment, and that is the
Additionally, increasing the electrification going end of the matter.
of commercial short-sea vessels could also forward as we Therefore, Danish shipping companies have
contribute to the solution for shipping. While share a common persistently focused on changing the culture
renewable fuels are key, other technical ini- understanding onboard ships and ensuring inclusivity for
tiatives are also relevant, especially when it of our everyone. It is a challenge that can only be
comes to short-sea shipping. Therefore, I have differences solved through cooperation between indus-
high expectations for the dedicated maritime and interests. try stakeholders, the authorities, and trade
calls for proposals that will soon be announced unions.
by the EU ETS Innovation Fund. Danish Shipping has contributed to drafting a
series of measures aimed at preventing bully-
❹ The forthcoming implementation ing and harassment onboard Danish-flagged
of the FuelEU Maritime in 2025 has ships, as presented by the Danish Minister
been welcomed as a step in the right of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs,
direction by European shipping’s Morten Bødskov, on February 5 of this year.
stakeholders. However, is the Euro- The measures include, among other things,
pean shipping industry ready, and can targeted training for ship management and
fuel suppliers provide clean fuels in establishing better complaint mechanisms
sufficient quantities? for victims of harassment or bullying. In par-
To conquer the future, one needs to prepare ticularly severe cases, courts should be able
now, which is why we are facing relatively mod- to prohibit an offender from serving on Dan-
est targets for the beginning of the FuelEU. ish ships. Furthermore, the Sea Health and
At the moment, several major shipowners are Welfare Service will have more opportunities
presenting green-fueled newbuilds, demon- to prevent and handle cases of bullying and
strating the feasibility of such an undertaking. harassment.
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