03 CONTRIBUTORS
002-003_P&H_21No1_Comment&Contributers.indd 03
InesNastali
As a long-standing journalist in the maritime and built environment sectors, I’ve always had an interest in port projects, particularly those that push boundaries of aesthetic and technical design. The projects detailed in my report on page 16 tick boxes for visual flair and, perhaps most importantly, efforts to integrate local communities. As a UK citizen, I’ve additionally been fascinated by the Brexit process and the impact on our society, economy, and relationship with the rest of the world, which is how the idea for my second feature, on new UK free ports designations and their impact on wildlife habitat, was born.
VLADISLAV VOROTNIKOV Freelance journalist For the past few years, the Black Sea has been among the world’s regions where the economy is largely determined by the political agenda. New port projects are no exception to this pressure, especially since there is not enough room for all planned ventures. Therefore, investors urge local governments to support them, citing matters of national importance. So, the big question is — who will eventually succeed?
Photos top left to right: Ines Nastali | Stephen Cousins | Vladislav vorotnikov
ines.nastali@ihsmarkit.com
STEPHEN COUSINS Freelance journalist
EDITORS COMMENT & CONTRIBUTORS
I must admit, I too fell for the early proclamations of engagement and left the meeting wondering where the COVID-19 community spirit had gone. Instead of pulling together, some member states showed a complete lack of urgency for the matter and solidarity toward, for example, small island states that are concerned about the drastic change to their coast that the future will undoubtedly bring. This destruction is caused by climate change, which the maritime industry contributes to by continuing to burn the — slightly improved — bottom-of-the-barrel sludge of the refinery process known as heavy-fuel oil. The fourth International Maritime Organization greenhouse gas emissions study revealed in August that, “emissions from maritime shipping rose about 10% from 2012 to 2018. Most striking were the increases in short-lived climate pollutants, also known as climate super pollutants, including a 12% increase in black carbon emissions”. So how come, instead of committing to let emissions peak as soon as possible and bring shipping in line with the Paris Agreement, the member states agreed to compromise short-term measures without carbon targets. This could instead lead to a 15% increase of emissions by 2030, according to data analysis by Forbes. Therefore, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommends halving emissions by 2030 to keep in line with the Paris Agreement. That would have sent a message of commitment to the world. Yes, the shipping industry is more efficient than other transport but that doesn’t release us from striving for more and, for once, be seen as a leader for change. In my opinion, the chosen compromise does not match the sentiment of the maritime industry we briefly saw blossom in the pandemic spring of 2020. Instead, the latest MEPC meeting makes the earlier grand proclamations of enthusiasm look pale and nothing shy of lip services. Fittingly, for this edition’s cover story, Patrick Verhoeven and I spoke to the architect of the Paris Agreement, Christiana Figueres. During our conversation, she admitted, she was disappointed by the lack of commitment shown by the member states during the meeting to reduce emissions. However, she explained that all is not lost in the endeavor and detailed what needs to be done now to bring about future change. Read more on the next page. You can also read the magazine online via our new page turner at issuu.com/portsandharbors. This offer is part of our efforts to have more people join the crucial discussions that we feature in this magazine. I also invite you to follow P&H on Twitter @PortsHarbors, to receive news and updates in between press dates. Throughout the year, we will launch sections to offer a new perspective on the evolution of our industry. But for now, I leave you to explore the new magazine. We look forward to ongoing dialogue — not just with the wider industry but also with you — our valued readers.
23-Dec-20 2:59:07 PM
