By Frank Odinukaeze
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hon. Emmamuel Jime has allayed fears that the cost of New Technologies to be adopted for greener shipping would not be borne entirely by the shipping community ,even as he affirms that the introduction would not jerk up the cost of doing business in the Nigerian ports.
Jime stated this last week at the International World Maritime Day Celebration, held in Lagos.
The NSC boss commended the Federal Ministry of Transportation for recognizing the need to create a platform as this where such important matters that affect not only the Nigerian maritime industry but the global maritime industry and environment at large can be discussed.
He said the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is committed to ensuring that the added cost thrown up in the implementation of these new technologies does not increase the cost of doing business at the Nigerian seaports.
He said the International Maritime Organization (IMO) choice of the theme ‘New Technologies for Greener Shipping’ clearly reflects the need to support a green transition of the maritime sector into a sustainable future.
Jime noted that the 0.5% sulphur cap introduced by the IMO in a bid to deal with Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) from ships has given rise to concerns on how vessels can comply and how non-compliance will be dealt with around the world. He said that the shipping industry is an important economic sector that contributes to more than 80% of global trade.
His words, ” However, according to S&P Global Platts Analytics, the shipping industry currently accounts for between 2% and 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions and could be 17% by 2050 if left unregulated, ” he said.
He Added that, “Our environment is constantly changing, and as it changes, so does the need to become increasingly aware of the problems that surround and affect it. These environmental problems are prompting the need for renewable and sustainable energy across the world. The theme ‘New Technologies for Greener Shipping’ is one that addresses climate change concerns and other conditions that affect the environment due to shipping activities, “Jime stated.
He emphasized the importance of ships to the global economy and stated that over 85% of all the goods and services that enter Nigeria come via the seaports.
“Considering this, any transition to greener fuels could be expensive, and consumers will most likely be at the receiving end due to the huge technological advancement that is required to adapt to this change” he noted.
Jime said this is the right time to have concerted, deliberate efforts of all concerned authorities towards adopting measures, not only to implement, but also to put in place accompanying measures to cushion the effects of this change.
“Africa’s maritime sector is bound to be affected by the IMO 2020 targets and one of the key concerns of African states is the availability, quality and supply of low Sulphur fuel and whether refineries would be able to meet new demands” he said
He noted that one of the challenges in the African continent is that “Africa’s maritime sector is still developing and will require resources and capacity-building to strengthen institutions which are responsible for incorporating international conventions into local law, implementing the legislation and policing the environmental legislation”
