The emissions of CO2 on sea way transportation

No one can escape the impact of climate change, all countries will be affected. One of reasons is automobile, aircraft, ships and trains releasing by using fuel. Currently, gasoline and diesel are the main fuel for transportation. In 2003, the Economic Cooperation Organization countries of carbon dioxide emissions from fuel consumption in transportation accounted for 34%; transportation accounted for 28% in all over the world. In the EU-15 countries, transportation and greenhouse gas emissions stand 21% of all greenhouse gas emissions (not including international aviation and maritime transport). From 1990 ~ 2004, the EU-15 countries in various sectors of greenhouse gas emissions had a slight decrease. 

In sea way transport aspect, ship traffic affords 90% in global transportation, the total carbon dioxide emissions accounted for 1.8% ~ 2% globally. Therefore, relative to the air and land transport, ship traffic is the most outstanding green modes of transport. But the International Clean Transportation Association’s report said that in order to ton-km basis calculated, the last three years an average annual increase of sea way transport increase 5% per year. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) scientific investigation report, in 2007, the emissions of carbon dioxide of vessels was 1.12 billion tons, standing 3.5% in global. The report shows that the developing of global ocean shipping and sea trade relationships and fuel consumption made the emission of carbon dioxide grown rapidly in the global environment; if we do not note it, water transport will release 30 percent carbon dioxide in 2020, reaching 1.475 billion tons. Donald • Gregory is in charge of shipping industry and environmental work in British Petroleum, he recently said that it is estimated that the global 70000 vessels annually consume about 200 million tons of fuel, and it will consume 350 million tons of fuel in 2020. Nowadays, the carbon dioxide emissions of vessels account for 4% of total emissions, as global trade increases, the amount of emissions will increase 75% in the next 15 to 20 years. The carbon dioxide emissions of shipping and aviation industry are rising rapidly. In future, it will spend trillions to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide for environmental improvements.

At the moment, there are some emission reduction measures:

1. The recent measures:

1) update the fuel consumption; 2) energy-efficient design and management plan, using the test model estimates of CO2 emissions index of new vessels; 3) voluntary or mandatory reporting the CO2 index; 4) strictly limit the leakage rate of cooling agent gas; 5) improve traffic control, fleet management, cargo operations and energy efficiency;

2. Mixed mechanism:

1) Emission charges – limits – trading and / or charge global fuel tax; 2) industry and government inter – a voluntary basis.

3. Long-term measures:

1) Technical measures for ship index when designs; 2) use different fuel; 3) mandatory CO2 Index for design new ships; 3) CO2 operational index of the external verification system; 4) emissions trading mechanisms and / or the clean development mechanism; 5) port imposition of CO2 emissions tax.