AsiaEnvironmentPorts and Logistics

Ports urged to work together to slash carbon footprint

Ports should work together to share emissions data and find ways to make the air cleaner, according to engineering consultancy Aurecon.

The Australian firm was commissioned earlier this year by Singapore’s Jurong Port to review its carbon footprint and look at ways for the port to further cut its emissions. On the basis of this investigation, Aurecon now believes other ports have much to learn.

“As nodal points of logistics supply chains, the sustainability performance of these chains has a significant impact on the carbon footprint of ports. Today, 92% can be attributed directly to the 57% increase in ship traffic calling at the port between 2010 and 2016. Hence, to make a significant reduction in the port’s carbon footprint, all stakeholders have a part to play,” said Ameet Ankaikar, Aurecon’s sustainability leader in Singapore in relation to Jurong Port.

“With greater transparency and co-operation, there exists an opportunity for ports around the world for transparency about their carbon emission calculation methodology so as to spur innovation in abatement measures. Though the institutional context is different for each port, there are a number of universal measures that will allow a useful comparison of sustainable performance. Carbon mitigation is not a competition but a collaboration for a better and more sustainable future for our planet,” Ankaikar maintained.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has recently pitched the case for greater port-based incentives as a way for shipping to cut emissions.

In addition to port incentives and carbon pricing/market-based mechanisms, the OECD suggested in a report sent to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) smoother transitions within the maritime logistics supply chain as a way to reduce emissions.

Examples of such transitions include ship waiting times and unproductive terminal moves, which the OECD reckons could be considered the result of a lack of alignment between the main players in the global supply chain.

“This underlines the importance of cooperation between actors of the supply chain and a possible role for IMO to stimulate and facilitate such cooperation,” the report stated.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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