Benchmarking Environmental Excellence

Aquatic invasive species

OBJECTIVE: Reduce the risk of introducing and propagating aquatic invasive organisms and pathogens associated with ballast water discharges and biofouling.

Ballast water is crucial for ensuring ship stability for cargo and other vessel types, but the discharge of ballast water also risks introducing and spreading invasive species. Invasive species are plants, animals, aquatic life and microorganisms that, when introduced outside of their natural environment, out-compete native species and can disrupt the existing balance of that ecosystem. To further prevent the possible spread of invasive species, Green Marine Europe encourages ship owners to adopt recognized best practices for ballast water management and participate in research and development into new treatment systems. Green Marine Europe recognizes at Level 5 the proactive ship owners who install and use treatment systems aboard their vessels where and when beyond regulation.

Biofouling is another vector of aquatic invasive species. Ship biofouling refers to species or organisms attached to underwater or wetted surfaces of a ship, i.e. the vessel’s hull and submerged equipment and apparatus. Green Marine Europe encourages ship owners to complete a range of anti-fouling measures that include applying special coatings to ship hulls and regularly cleaning underwater surfaces.

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Shipowners

Greenhouse gas emissions

OBJECTIVE: To reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Shipping is the most efficient transportation mode in terms of emissions per cargo carried. But, maritime contributes over 2% of the global greenhouse gases, equivalent to the 6th largest emitter among nations in 2015. And, continued growth is forecast. To promote efficiency and overall improvement, Green marine Europe candidates have taken on concrete actions. The 5-level performance indicators include both quantitative and prescriptive measures. Higher levels require an inventory, a management plan, and reduction targets. To achieve Levels 4 and 5, demonstrating excellence and leadership, ship owners must also achieve average annual reductions (improvements) in GHG intensity by 1% and 2%, respectively.

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Shipowners

Oily discharge

OBJECTIVE: Minimize risk of oily discharges.

The Oily Discharge performance indicator addresses upstream source and downstream treatment solutions to reduce the amount oil discharged or offloaded from normal operation of the vessel. Best management practices at Level 2 focus on inspection, maintenance, operation, training, and performance of the oily water separator and the other equipment onboard that use oil and water, such as engines, burners, pumps, heaters, filters, condensers, boilers, and pumps. The oily water that accumulates in the holds at the bottom of the boat (in the bilge) must be treated to 15ppm before being discharged at sea. It is critical that the equipment used to treat this oily water function properly to avoid polluting (however minimal). Beyond the inventory and a procurement guideline for environmentally friendly cleaning products at Level 3, higher levels require structural measures. Tankage, piping, pumping, treatment, and drains are to be arranged to keep clean water separate from oily water and from sludge. Referred to as an Integrated Bilge Treatment System (IBTS), as proposed to International Maritime Organization (IMO) sub-committee on ship design and equipment in 2011, these arrangements separate fluids at-source and significantly reduce the volume of oily water to be treated.

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Shipowners

Pollutant air emissions NOx

OBJECTIVE: To reduce pollutant air emissions of nitrogen oxides.

Shipping is the most energy efficient transportation mode, but it still creates polluting air emissions through the combustion of fossil fuels. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) is among the pollutants dispersed into the air, diminishing its quality. Health concerns are greatest in areas where busy urban ports facilitate intense shipping activity. Green Marine Europe encourages ship owners to integrate new cleaner running engines as part of their fleet renewal or retrofitting and/or exhaust gas containment systems to minimize NOx emissions.

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Shipowners

Pollutant air emissions SOx & PM

OBJECTIVE: To reduce pollutant air emissions of sulphur oxides and particulate matter.

Shipping is the most energy efficient transportation mode, but it still creates polluting air emissions through the combustion of fossil fuels. Sulphur oxide (SOx) and particulate matter (PM) are both air polluting emissions directly related to fuel quality. In addition to practices to reduce overall fuel consumption, Green Marine Europe candidates are encouraged to use lower sulfur fuel along with new reduction, capture and/or treatment technologies to measurably decrease their SOx and PM emissions.

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Shipowners

Underwater noise

OBJECTIVE:

• Reduce underwater noise made by ship operations to reduce impacts to marine mammals.

The performance indicator for underwater noise applies to ship owners operating in salt water only. The goal is to minimize this disruption to marine mammals. For sea vessels, it aims to minimize the noise generated by a ship through best management practices and/or new equipment and technologies.

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Shipowners

Waste management

OBJECTIVE: Reduce ship generated garbage and increase recycling

Ships may be large, but their free space is limited. Storing garbage in a compact, safe way for later disposal is a challenge. Since January 1, 2013, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) has prohibited the discharge of any garbage at sea (other than food waste, cargo residues, cleaning additives and animal carcasses, each only under specified conditions). Under MARPOL, garbage disposal of any kind is also forbidden in other navigable waters. Green Marine Europe encourages ship owners to implement best management practices along with effective solutions to reduce, reuse and recycle onboard garbage and to ban all overboard discharge (including food).

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Shipowners