SEAaT, the association dedicated to shipping emissions abatement and trading, welcomed the endorsement of the concept of emissions trading for shipping by the British Chamber of Shipping as a Red Letter Day for the shipping industry.
On Dec. 15 the Chamber of Shipping announced its support for an emissions trading scheme (ETS) in line with land-based industries in Europe, whereby polluters are either given or must buy permits for their level of their emissions.
SEAaT Secretary-General, John Aitken said: “The Chamber of Shipping has shown the kind of leadership the shipping industry requires if demonstrable and meaningful reductions in greenhouse gases from shipping are to be achieved.
“SEAaT will be happy to work with the British Chamber of Shipping, and any other like-minded organisation, in the development of a scheme which will benefit both the environment and the shipping industry,” Aitken continued.
As a contribution to the increased understanding of the benefits of emissions trading for shipping, SEAaT is planning to hold a seminar, in London in early April 2009, devoted to developing a framework for an emissions trading scheme.
SEAaT also announced that Lars Carlsson, the Chairman of the SEAaT Executive Committee will come to the end of his assignment with the organization at the end of the year. During his time with SEAaT, Lars made a major contribution to SEAaT as the organization repositioned itself from the issue of sulphur oxides reductions to that of green house gases.
Aitken added: “In interrupting his well deserved retirement, Lars has demonstrated his continuing commitment to the industry he served for so many years. On behalf of the members of SEAaT, I wish to thank Lars for all his hard work in preparing SEAaT for the exciting challenges ahead.”
(www.seaat.org)