The Sustainable Shipping Initiative signs declaration to tackle global wildlife trafficking
London – 16 March 2016 - The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (“SSI”) has today signed a Declaration to tackle global wildlife trafficking routes. The Declaration was unveiled by The Duke of Cambridge, President of United for Wildlife, and is the culmination of 12 months of work to develop a plan, led by the transport sector, to crack down on illegal wildlife trafficking routes.
The signing of the Declaration is in line with one of the key pillars of the SSI’s Vision for a more sustainable shipping industry, which states that shipping must earn a reputation for being a trusted and responsible partner in the communities that it touches around the world.
The United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce Buckingham Palace Declaration is a landmark agreement, committing to take real steps to shut down the routes exploited by traffickers of the illegal wildlife trade, moving their products from killing field to market place.
The declaration outlines 11 commitments, which have been collaboratively developed over the last 12 months by members of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce. The commitments aim to help support the private sector in fighting the illegal wildlife trade, and include:
- Increasing passenger, customer, client, and staff awareness about the nature, scale, and consequences of illegal wildlife trade
- Promoting the Declaration and its Commitments across the entire transport sector and encourage all in the sector to sign up to the Declaration
- Improving the training of staff within the transport sector to enable them to detect, identify and report suspected illegal wildlife trade, and acknowledge staff who champion this cause
- Notifying relevant law enforcement authorities of cargoes suspected of containing illegal wildlife and their products and, where able, refuse to accept or ship such cargoes
Over 40 organisations from the transport industries have signed the Declaration, including a number of leading shipping organisations such as Maersk Group, China COSCO Shipping, Dubai Ports World and the UK Chamber of Shipping. Although a number of trade routes are used for the smuggling of wildlife products, shipping is a significant transporter.
Alastair Fischbacher, CEO, the Sustainable Shipping Initiative commented:
“The Declaration is a welcome and necessary step in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. The SSI wholeheartedly supports its aims, and it is an example of how shipping can take ownership and responsibility for improving wider areas of sustainability, working together and helping other transportation and conservation industries, along with local communities, to make a substantial difference on important global issues, such as the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking.”
Innovative financial models can solve the split incentive challenge
For a number of years the SSI has been vocal in championing the role of finance as an integral part of improving ship performance. We know that clean technologies are an important part of the solution in improving the operational efficiency of vessels, and in doing so, reducing fuel consumption and costs as well as associated emissions. It is one of the best ways of demonstrating that sustainability really does pay.
However, a real barrier to increased uptake is not just financing the retrofits in a market of little liquidity, but also deciding who reaps the rewards. It is the ship owner that is typically responsible for the upgrading of their vessels, however it is the charterer who benefits from the fuel savings. Ideally, both parties should benefit, but in a market of short-term time charters this becomes increasingly complex.
It is therefore great news to see that the Carbon War Room, an NGO committed to reducing carbon emissions within the shipping industry has delivered a landmark multiple technology retrofit project that will see the installation of a number of clean technologies on three Hammonia Reederei vessels, chartered by Intermarine. As well as delivering an anticipated 25% in fuel savings and reduced emissions, the collaboration also includes a revenue sharing scheme based on the fuel savings. Intermarine has agreed to award Hammonia a rate that is above the market rates through a retrofit clause within the charter party, sharing the fuel savings between both parties, while also earning Hammonia a five-year time charter.
It is a similar concept to the SSI’s Save As You Sail (SAYS) model, which also solves the split incentive challenge; delivering a financial model, which owners, charterers and financiers can use to model returns on investment and profits from more efficient vessels. Using SAYS, an owner and charterer can identify the estimated fuel cost savings and ROI associated with different upgrade options. The loan, which the owner can access through SSI member ABN AMRO is paid back over an agreed period, and if the first charter is shorter than the loan, SAYS enables changes of charterers during the financing period.
Indeed, our finance Working Group has been in collaboration with like-minded organisations, including the Carbon War Room, to further develop SAYS based on the shared belief that re-thinking financial models that can be used entirely or in part, will reduce emissions, while also improving vessel performance and profitability.
The Carbon War Room’s recent success proves the viability of such financial models. We hope that it is the foundation for the retrofitting and uptake of more innovative clean technologies that will work towards our goal of delivering a more sustainable and profitable shipping industry by 2040.
SSI holds landmark Roundtable to facilitate change in ship recycling
Press Release - London – 9 March 2016
The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (“SSI”) – a pioneering coalition of companies from across the global shipping industry – is today holding its second roundtable with key industry stakeholders to discuss the challenges and barriers to achieving sustainable ship recycling, and how they can be overcome. Improving the health, safety and environmental standards associated with ship recycling is a key SSI work stream, and an important element of the SSI’s recently launched Roadmap, which charts the key milestones which must be met to create a sustainable shipping industry by 2040.
Held under Chatham House rules, participants include members of the SSI, as well as representatives from regulatory bodies, ship owners, ship breaking and ship recycling companies, as well as NGOs, industry bodies and class societies; key stakeholders from across the value chain who are central to developing sustainable standards within ship recycling.
“This forum is an example of how the SSI and its members are working together with the industry to help facilitate understanding and change in key areas that will further shipping’s progress towards sustainability,” said Alastair Fischbacher, CEO, the Sustainable Shipping Initiative.
“Ship recycling is a critical part of the shipping lifecycle, but also one of the industry’s most contentious and complex issues, with diverse opinions on what should be done to improve its sustainability. Our forum has been designed to stimulate open, and transparent debate, so that we can work with the industry to find consensus and common ground to develop tangible plans that can be put into action.”
While the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) is yet to be formally ratified, several yards in Alang, India, have received accreditation with the standards of the HKC, which is a positive step. However, this is a foundation to develop from, and significant progress needs to be made in further improving safe, environmentally and socially responsible ship recycling. The SSI is looking to encourage and support sustainable ship recycling, which incorporates not only the requirements of the HKC but also social best practice, environmental compliance and health and safety standards which meet member and external scrutiny.
Alastair Fischbacher concluded: “We are hopeful that progress will be made, and that we can build on the momentum from 2015. We look forward to working with our members, as well as those within the industry who are committed to developing sustainable ship recycling practices. These kind of initiatives espouse what the SSI was established for, and showcase the commitment and drive of our members in actively engaging and collaborating with the industry to drive change, and achieve our vision of a sustainable shipping industry by 2040.”
For further information, please contact: Nick Blythe BLUE Communications T: + 44 (0) 7917 138 723 E: nick@blue-comms.com
SSI launches Roadmap to 2040
SSI LAUNCHES ROADMAP TO A SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING INDUSTRY BY 2040
SSI members and key industry stakeholders work together to define tangible milestones across all areas of sustainability that must be collectively delivered by the industry to meet the SSI’s 2040 Vision
London – 7 March 2016 - The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (“SSI”), a pioneering coalition of companies from across the global shipping industry, today launched its Roadmap, a set of key milestones and priorities which must be met in order to create a sustainable shipping industry by 2040. The development of the Roadmap embodies the core attributes and values of SSI’s membership in working together to evaluate and establish the tangible change that will be needed to create a sustainable industry.
“This is a significant achievement and point of real pride for the SSI and its members,” said Alastair Fischbacher, CEO, The Sustainable Shipping Initiative.”
“Our members have shown considerable commitment, as well as investing their knowledge and expertise to define a Roadmap, which truly encapsulates what needs to be delivered to create a more sustainable industry. There are many challenges ahead, but we have set a clear foundation from which to work from. I look forward to those from within the industry who are passionate about securing its future joining our existing members in working together to deliver against the Roadmap and achieving our Vision of a sustainable shipping industry.”
Developed in line with SSI’s Vision 2040 and Case for Action, the Roadmap provides a clear overview of the macro environment that a sustainable shipping industry will require by 2040. The six core areas that the shipping industry must work collectively to implement are:
- Proactively contributing to the responsible governance of the oceans
- Earning the reputation of being a trusted and responsible partner in the communities where shipping interacts with
- Providing healthy, safe and secure work environments, so that people want to work in shipping, where they can enjoy rewarding careers and achieve their full potential
- Instilling real transparency and accountability within the industry to drive performance improvements and enable better, sustainable decision making
- Developing financial solutions that reward sustainable performance and enable large scale uptake of innovation, technology, design and operational efficiencies
- Changing to a diverse range of energy sources, using resources more efficiently, and responsibly, and dramatically reducing greenhouse gases.
Within each of these areas, the Roadmap highlights the key defining factors that are central to achieving them. This includes regulation, governance, infrastructure, and emerging energy sources, as well as the critical milestones that chart a path to success by 2040.
The Roadmap is designed as a guide for the SSI and its members, and shared freely with the wider shipping industry. It is intended as a practical resource for companies and organisations to understand their present and future challenges, as well as the steps and milestones to shape their own sustainability strategies.
The Roadmap is available online. As a ‘live’, working tool, the SSI will be actively engaging further with the industry to periodically update the Roadmap based on progress that is made, and the industry landscape changes and evolves. This will be fed back into the tool and shared with the market.
Alastair Fischbacher concluded:
“Delivering the milestones in the Roadmap will take further commitment and desire by our members as well as the rest of the shipping industry. This is a dynamic document that will be updated and developed further with developments, and we hope that the Roadmap will be a unifying and interactive tool that will serve to drive more engagement and debate within the shipping industry. By informing, influencing and encouraging all organisations to actively change and operate in a progressive and more sustainable way the Vision 2040 can be achieved.”
The Roadmap is available in two versions, full and simple view, below.
Download the Simple or Full version of the Roadmap here.
About the Sustainable Shipping Initiative
The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) is an ambitious coalition of shipping leaders from around the world that is taking practical steps to tackle some of the sector’s greatest opportunities and challenges. The group is working to achieve a vision of an industry in which sustainability equals success.
It is the first time the shipping industry has joined forces on such a cooperative global scale to tackle big sustainability issues. The ultimate goal is to show that collaborative action is possible, and to mobilise support across the industry, demonstrating that shipping can contribute to – and thrive in – a sustainable future.
The cross-industry SSI has members from 15 companies representing ship owners and charterers, shipbuilders, engineers and service providers, banking and classification societies. Member companies include ABN AMRO, AkzoNobel, American Bureau of Shipping, Bunge, Cargill, China Navigation Company, Gearbulk, IMC, Lloyd’s Register Maersk Line, U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation and Wärtsilä.
In September 2013 the SSI became an independent charity. The SSI was initially facilitated by global sustainability non-profit Forum for the Future in conjunction with WWF, the global conservation NGO. Forum for the Future and WWF remain as SSI NGO members.
For further information, please contact:
Nick Blythe
BLUE Communications
T: + 44 (0) 7917 138 723
SSI releases 'Progress to 2015 - a sustainable future for shipping'
SSI Progress to 2015. A future for sustainable shipping.The Progress Report details the key achievements, as well as the significant body of work that has been conducted by SSI members to actively engage with, drive debate and inspire change within shipping. This is in conjunction to a number of key initiatives that have been led, and implemented by SSI members to deliver tangible solutions to make shipping a more sustainable and prosperous industry by 2040.
In particular, the report highlights the developments in the SSI’s key work streams, where members have worked collectively across the core areas that serve to advance SSI’s Vision. This includes:
- The development and use of clean technologies, and facilitating access to finance for their implementation through the SSI’s innovative Save as you Sail (SAYS) financial concept, which demonstrates how charterers, owners and financiers can model return on investment and profits from more efficient vessels
- Facilitating action and debate with key industry stakeholders to address the challenges of responsible ship recycling
- Improving the transparent exchange of information to educate and drive better decision-making through the launch of a knowledge sharing platform on the future of shipping through the Futures Centre
- Conducting research and analysing attitudes to life at sea, and what can be done to make shipping a more attractive place to work and develop a career
- The development of a Roadmap – to be launched in Q1 2016 – a ‘live’ tool that sets out the key milestones and critical areas that must be addressed to chart a path to success by 2040.
SSI members have also recently signed up to a set of Shared Commitments to underscore their individual dedication to sustainability. This creates a clear benchmark for demonstrable sustainable practice, as well as providing greater collective transparency and accountability to drive improvement within the membership group.
“Our second Progress Report shows the real developments that the SSI and its members are making, and the positive work that is being conducted among members, and with many stakeholders in the shipping industry, said Alastair Fischbacher, CEO, the Sustainable Shipping Initiative.
“The Progress Report demonstrates the real value of being a member of SSI. It highlights the sense of purpose and pride that comes from our members in positively contributing to our cause, by working on the front line, investing time, knowledge and expertise to pioneer new initiatives and progressive ways of thinking in order to create a more sustainable and profitable shipping industry.”
While positive developments have been made, the Progress Report also acknowledges the significant challenges that lie ahead in the short-term. Specifically, the requirement for a strong regulatory framework designed and implemented by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) that supports the reduction of CO2 emissions, and delivery of the UNFCCC’s target of less than two degrees warming, as agreed at the recent COP 21 meeting. It also shows the need for continued improvements in energy efficiency standards, as well as driving further debate and change in relation to ocean governance and the sustainable and equitable use of ocean resources.
Alsastair Fischbacher concluded:
“There is no room for complacency, and we must be under no illusion of the significant challenges that lie ahead. But we have shown that when organisations within the industry come together to make a difference and drive more sustainable behaviours great things can be achieved. We will continue with this mission, and welcome more organisations from all elements of the shipping supply chain to join with us and work to deliver a sustainable industry. An industry which continues to play a critial role in driving the global economy, and in which future generations can thrive.”
Download link: Progress to 2015. A sustainable future for shipping
For further information, please contact:
Nick Blythe
BLUE Communications
T: + 44 (0) 7917 138 723
Progress to 2015: A future for sustainable shipping
The Progress Report details the key achievements, as well as the significant body of work that has been conducted by SSI members to actively engage with, drive debate and inspire change within shipping. This is in conjunction to a number of key initiatives that have been led, and implemented by SSI members to deliver tangible solutions to make shipping a more sustainable and prosperous industry by 2040.
SSI Statement on CO2 emissions from shipping
Ahead of discussions at COP21, which will be held in Paris from 30th November, the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (“SSI”) today released a statement calling for the shipping industry to play its part in contributing towards global CO2 reduction.
Shipping leaders ask IMO to act urgently to create framework to achieve UNFCCC CO2 reduction target
The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) releases commissioned research from University College London’s Energy Institute that confirms the current regulatory framework is insufficient to meet 2-degree target.
London, 23rd November 2015 - The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (“SSI”), a pioneering coalition of companies from across the global shipping industry, today released - ahead of discussions at COP21, which will be held in Paris from 30th November - a statement calling for the shipping industry to play its part in contributing towards the UNFCCC global CO2 reduction target.
The Sustainable Shipping Initiative’s statement on CO2 emissions reads as follows:
The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) calls on the shipping industry to encourage and support the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to act urgently in establishing the timely and progressive frameworks required that will deliver a carbon strategy which enables shipping to confidently and effectively play its part in achieving the UNFCCC global CO2 reduction targets.
According to the IMO 3rd GHG study and research commissioned by the SSI from University College London, the current IMO regulatory framework to manage CO2 emissions, while welcomed, will be insufficient to meet a 2-degree target. Furthermore each year of delay results in the need for increasingly harsh and more costly emission reduction measures to be implemented in order to achieve the targets in the required timeframe.
Climate change is one of the biggest risks to the future of global trade and the shipping industry; the SSI believe that it is not commercially, environmentally or socially sustainable for the shipping industry to continue on a Business As Usual carbon emissions pathway. We need to recognise climate change as a business risk and act now to contribute fully to our obligation to meet a global objective.
SSI members include some of the shipping industry’s leading companies: ABN AMRO, AkzoNobel, American Bureau of Shipping, Bunge, Cargill, Carnival Corporation, China Navigation Company, Gearbulk, IMC, Lloyd’s Register, Maersk Line, Namura Shipbuilding, Unilever, U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation and Wärtsilä.
The SSI has also released research, which it commissioned from the University College of London’s (UCL) Energy Institute, the academic body that also authored the IMO’s third Greenhouse Gas study. The research follows on from Smith et al. (2015), a paper presented at IMO MEPC 68 as a first framing of the concept of a target for shipping, and shows that the scale of CO2 emissions cuts required to meet a 2-degree target is far greater than the shipping industry’s current emissions trajectory. Alastair Fischbacher, CEO, the Sustainable Shipping Initiative said:“The challenge faced by the industry on CO2 is clear. It would be unacceptable for shipping to increase its share of global emissions and not play its part in the global reduction. Importantly,the longer the delay in implementing reductions, the further behind we fall and the harder it will become. It is crucial that there are progressive targets and timeframes set now for the industry to work towards,where it contributes fully to reducing global CO2 emissions”.
-ENDS-
About the Sustainable Shipping Initiative
The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) is an ambitious coalition of shipping leaders from around the world that is taking practical steps to tackle some of the sector’s greatest opportunities and challenges. The group is working to achieve a vision of an industry in which sustainability equals success.
It is the first time the shipping industry has joined forces on such a cooperative global scale to tackle big sustainability issues. The ultimate goal is to show that collaborative action is possible, and to mobilise support across the industry, demonstrating that shipping can contribute to –and thrive in –a sustainable future.
The cross-industry SSI has members from 15 companies representing ship owners and charterers, shipbuilders, engineers and service providers, banking and classification societies. Member companies include ABN AMRO, AkzoNobel, American Bureau of Shipping, Bunge, Cargill, Carnival Corporation, China Navigation Company, Gearbulk, IMC, Lloyd’s Register, Maersk Line, Namura Shipbuilding, Unilever, U-Ming Marine Transport Corporation and Wärtsilä.
In September 2013 the SSI became an independent charity. The SSI was initially facilitated by global sustainability non-profit Forum for the Future in conjunction with WWF, the global conservation NGO. Forum for the Future and WWF remain as SSI NGO members.
For further information, please contact:
Nick Blythe
BLUE Communications
T: + 44 (0) 7917 138 723
E: nick@blue-comms.com
SSI releases CO2 impact report commissioned from UCL
The SSI is pleased to release a report commissioned from University College London Energy Institute. This report examines the scale of the challenge facing the shipping industry in contributing to a 2 degree limitation on global warming and concludes that significant CO2 emissions reduction is needed under any scenario. Furthermore delaying the commencement of reduction measures results in even greater reductions being needed. The report can be downloaded here: CO2 emission targets - UCL report for SSI
CO2 emission targets for shipping
In 2015, the SSI supported its position on low carbon by commissioning academics at University College London (UCL) to conduct research examining the CO2 reductions required to limit global emissions such that global warming stays within the UNFCCC below 2 degrees target. The study demonstrated that a disconnect exists between present day stakeholder attitudes, and the challenge faced by the industry. Even in the most moderate scenario, carbon intensity reduction beyond what would be considered ‘commercially viable’ by our members was shown to be required.
Making Careers at Sea More Attractive - article in Maritime Executive
In many countries and particularly in the West, the popularity of seafaring as a career option has been in decline. A Drewry report that was released this week highlighted that shipping will require an additional 42,500 officers by 2019. While the report’s overarching message positively observes that the persistent shortage of officer crew is receding, this is still a significant deficit and raises the longer-term question of how we attract and retain talented crews.
SSI's CEO Alastair Fischbacher writes for the Maritime Executive on "Making Careers at Sea More Attractive" on the Day of The Seafarer, 25 June 2015.
Access the full article here