Page 48 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2024

MARINE ENVIRONMENT

over the long time of its existence, has witnessed
events of great historic importance and signifi-
cance, including the IMO International Conference
back in 1974, when the Athens Convention relating
to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage
by Sea was adopted, and is also where the opening
ceremony of the “Year of the Seafarer” took place
in 2009, in the presence of the late President of
the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias. Therefore,
the President of the Eugenides Foundation and
his associates are to be congratulated for a job
well done!
The purpose of this Conference is to take stock of
the achievements of the global maritime commu-
nity, under the auspices of the IMO in its perennial
efforts to safeguard maritime safety—the IMO's
raison d’être—and to protect and preserve the
environment—both marine and atmospheric—
from the impact of shipping operations.
In recognising the beneficial impact of the IMO's
operational requirements while still elaborating work as a whole, it is also essential to acknowl-
on market-based measures. However, despite the edge the broad and effective implementation by
strenuous efforts of both the IMO and the indus- governments and the industry alike of the Organ-
try, we cannot claim to have reached the end of isation’s two major conventions, namely SOLAS
the road, as there is still much to be done. As we and MARPOL, in safeguarding life at sea (SOLAS),
continue our quest for a clean environment, it is and keeping the marine environment—as well as
crucial to ensure that any new measures required the atmospheric environment as of late—clean
are well thought of, reasonable, sensible, balanced, (MARPOL), by reducing both operational and acci-
workable, and viable, and commensurate with the dental pollution. SOLAS has made ships safer by
industry’s share of responsibility in the world total enhancing their design, construction, and equip-
of greenhouse gas emissions. ment standards alongside the education and
As recently as July 2023 and against all odds, training of seafarers in conjunction with the STCW
the IMO successfully revised its Strategy for the Convention. MARPOL has significantly brought
Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from down operational pollution by addressing onboard
Ships. Thus, it has modified its roadmap, leading activities to neutralise the impact of all sources of
to the decarbonisation of the shipping industry marine pollution on the environment.
by reducing its annual GHG emissions by at least In summary, fewer accidents equal fewer lives
20%, striving for 30% by 2030, and by at least lost at sea, reduced onboard operational errors
70%, striving for 80% by 2040. These percentages and weaknesses, and less marine environment
were set against the prevailing situation in 2008, pollution.
with the end goal of achieving the net zero carbon All of this leads to the fair recognition of the IMO's
emissions target by 2050, as mandated by the UN beneficial impact as the shipping industry’s reg-
for the entire world and established by COP27 in ulator, which is supplemented by the invaluable
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022 (COP28 contribution of flag state governments, port
is scheduled to take place in Dubai, UAE, at the end and coastal states, shipowners and operators,
of November to 12 December 2024). seafarers, and everyone else (shipbuilders, class
In the meantime, efforts towards a green energy societies, equipment manufacturers, suppliers,
era should continue unabated as per this meeting’s and others) that bear the heavy responsibility of
theme: “Our commitment goes on”. Such efforts implementing IMO rules and regulations. In their
include—among others—work on bunker fuel and totality, all these parties compose the impressive
related matters, such as slow steaming, industry edifice of a well-regulated, well-managed, and
consolidation and fleet optimisation, vessel design orderly industry.
and economies of scale, shorter routes, automa- As we celebrate 50 years of MARPOL’s undeniable
tion, digitalisation, fuel switching, battery-pow- success, it is crucial to acknowledge the paragons
ered vessels, and autonomous ships. of that success, who have worked hard and con-
To celebrate MARPOL’s 50th anniversary, we have tinue to do so to ensure safer shipping and cleaner
gathered this evening in an iconic building, which, oceans.

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