Control Greenhouse Gas Emissions News

NYK is participating in a study launched by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Tourism (MLIT) to explore the feasibility of LNG bunkering in Yokohama. This study is examining the technological and infrastructural requirements for establishment of an LNG bunkering hub at the port of Yokohama to supply LNG as fuel to ships. A kick-off meeting of the study’s steering committee was held on June 9 for the creation of a facility development plan by the end of the year. In accordance with the NYK Group’s medium-term management plan, “More Than Shipping 2018,” NYK has started the process of using LNG to fuel some ships. In August 2015, the company received delivery of Japan's first LNG-fueled tugboat named “Sakigake”.

Solomon Associates has  announced it has been working in collaboration with the refining industry and state officials in Washington to assist in establishing a regulatory framework designed to help control greenhouse gas emissions from Washington’s five petroleum refineries. The Washington Department of Ecology has begun the process of controlling greenhouse gas emissions by adopting a new rule under RCW 70.94.154. The rule requires all Washington stationary sources to have reasonably available control technology (RACT). Refineries are being presented with two options to meet the requirement. The first compliance option requires refineries to use Solomon’s Energy Intensity Index® (EII®) to benchmark their energy efficiency against other similar-sized refineries in the nation.

September 24 2009 marks the 32nd celebration of World Maritime Day, the annual occasion when the International Maritime Organization (IMO) leads the world in highlighting a key issue for the Organization and the shipping industry. This year, the theme for World Maritime Day is Climate Change: a challenge for IMO too! In his World Maritime Day message to the international maritime community, IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos said that now was the time to make tough decisions to address climate change, and to act with total and undivided commitment. "At IMO, we are heavily and consistently engaged in the fight to protect and preserve our environment - both marine and atmospheric.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed to circulate, via MEPC circulars, a package of interim and voluntary technical and operational measures to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping and a work plan for its further consideration of market-based instruments to provide incentives for the shipping industry, when it met for its 59th session from 13 to 17 July 2009, at the IMO Headquarters in London. These measures are intended to be used for trial purposes until the Committee's sixtieth session (MEPC 60) in March 2010, when they will be refined, as necessary, with a view to facilitating decisions on their scope of application and enactment.