Air Emissions
The World Shipping Council and its members have been leaders in calling for the establishment of stringent international standards controlling air emissions from ships. In 2007, the WSC supported the most stringent standards ever proposed for nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter (PM) emissions from ships. The Council recently supported creation of an Emission Control Area for North America and is now working with governments and other organizations on the development of a legally-binding global agreement addressing CO2 emissions from shipping.
NOx, SOx & PM
Oxides of nitrogen (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter (PM) are by-products of combustion associated with engines used on ships and other transportation modes. NOx emissions from diesel engines are a function of engine design and are generally controlled through standards established for new engines. SOx and PM emissions are heavily influenced by the fuel used and its relative sulfur content. Standards for these and other air emissions are established by the International Maritime Organization as well as national and regional authorities. Learn more
Carbon Emissions
Maritime traffic accounts for approximately 2.7% of the world's CO2 emissions and liner shipping accounts for approximately ¼ of the total 2.7% associated with all maritime traffic. Like other air emissions discussed above, CO2 is produced as ships use petroleum based fuels to power both main and auxiliary engines. The World Shipping Council and its members are engaged in numerous efforts to reduce CO2, improve efficiency, and are working to secure a global agreement addressing CO2 emissions from ships through the International Maritime Organization. Learn more
Energy Efficient Design Index
In recent years, discussions at International Maritime Organization (IMO) have resulted in the development of an Energy Effiency Design Index (EEDI) that has the broad and emphatic support of Governments, industry associations and organizations representing civil society interests. In 2011, IMO agreed to make EEDI a mandatory requirement for every ship. Learn more
The EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) adresses the former type of measure by requiring a minimum energy efficiency level for new ships; by stimulating continued technical development of all the components influencing the fuel efficiency of a ship; and by separating the technical and design-based measures from the operational and commercial ones. Learn more
The Vessel Efficiency Incentive Scheme
The Efficiency Incentive Scheme (EIS) is a proposal made by Japan and the World Shipping Cpuncil to stimulate significant improvements in the fuel and carbon efficiency of the world's maritime fleet. The proposal recommends the establishment of explicit efficiency standards for both new and existing ships in the world fleet. Vessel efficiency would be measured using the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) developed by the IMO.
New and existing ships that meet the specified standards would not be subject to any fees, penalties or costs other than those costs associated with the design and installation of more efficient ship technologies. Those ships that fall short of the specific standards would be required to pay a fee (or penalty) that is based on the amount of fuel consumed and how far short of the standard the specific ship falls. Learn more
