Commentary
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SINGAPORE PORTS AND SHIPS ARE TURNING THE TIDE ON CLIMATE CHANGE The lull in shipping activity, triggered by the COVID-19 crisis, presents an opportunity for the maritime industry to double down on decarbonisation efforts, says Dr Sanjay Kuttan, Executive Director of Singapore Maritime Institute. SINGAPORE: Singapore’s two main ports, PSA Container and Jurong Port, are living labs for green technologies.
The COVID-19 crisis has led to a lull in shipping activity presenting an opportunity for the maritime sector to accelerate decarbonisation efforts and build a greener supply chain. Globally, the maritime sector accounts for 2 to 3 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. Recognising its significant environmental impact, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has ratified greenhouse gas reduction targets: 40 per cent by 2030 and 50 per cent by 2050 from 2008 levels.
Jurong Port boasts of a 9.65 megawatt-peak solar photovoltaic system. Mounted on warehouse CLEANER HARBOUR CRAFTS rooftops, it is the world’s largest solar installation in Over the past decade, the global maritime sector has a port. Part of the electricity generated is used for been making efforts to reduce the carbon footprint port operations, while the rest is supplied to the of vessels. New ships must comply with the IMO’s national power grid. Energy Efficiency Design Index – a set of regulations for the vessel to be designed and built for maximum The port is also testing an artificial intelligence energy efficiency since 2011. (AI)-driven Smart Multi-Energy System, including a direct-current warehouse microgrid system, which The IMO also implemented the Ship Energy will further reduce its carbon footprint. Efficiency Management Programme that same year, which provides a framework for operating Jurong Port is also home to the world’s first green ships and fleets to improve energy efficiency. These berths – made of recycled concrete from existing programmes develop guidelines to drive down berths and yards. energy consumption to a minimum for each vessel type. Furthermore, PSA has started to electrify and automate its cranes and ground vehicles. Once These energy efficiency principles can be also complete, the port operator will have the world’s applied to Singapore’s 2,300 licensed harbour crafts largest fleet of automated guided vehicles powered that provide goods and services to ships calling at by batteries instead of diesel. ports. 26
January - March 2021 | Maritime Voice
