Swedish Shipowners Association News

A group of Swedish technology entrepreneurs and academics joined forces to accelerate the research and development of an AI-based, semi-autonomous system for planning and executing more energy efficient sea voyages.Leading the effort is Lean Marine, aiming to deliver a ground-breaking R&D project to accelerate the tech development, realization, and adoption of AI-powered ship operation support technology by ship crew and management. The Via Kaizen project is funded by the Swedish Transport Administration…

Skangas entered into an agreement with parts of the Gothia Tanker Alliance to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel.The new agreement comprises current as well as new vessels with LNG propulsion soon to come, said a press release from the supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Nordic markets.The main Swedish shipping companies that will get the advantage of the supply agreement with Skangas are Furetank Rederi AB, Erik Thun AB and Rederi AB Älvtank. These shipping companies have invested in total six new LNG fueled vessels and together with the existing Fure West they are all jointly operated by the Gothia Tanker Alliance.The Swedish Shipowners’ Association is actively contributing to reduce any negative environmental impact of the shipping industry.

The European shipowners together with MEP Wim Van de Camp yesterday organised a seminar in the European Parliament to discuss the International Maritime Organization (IMO) initial Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reduction strategy for shipping. The initial strategy was adopted in the 72nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO in April this year, said a release from  European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA). Van de Camp opened the well-attended event and said: “Today I have invited you here to discuss the efforts of the international shipping industry to reduce its GHG emissions. It’s important that the Transport committee pays attention to the international shipping sector’s goals”.

Sweden is a role model for the global shipping community, and other countries have a great deal to learn from the work being done by the Swedish shipping industry to reduce emissions. This is one of the findings in a new report – Decarbonising Maritime Transport: The Case of Sweden – where efforts aimed at bringing about a greener shipping sector in Sweden are described as a “success story”. OECD’s International Transport Forum (ITF) published a new report –  Decarbonising Maritime Transport: The Case of Sweden. The report examines the various elements which it is stated have put Swedish shipping firmly at the forefront environmentally. “We are extremely proud that Swedish shipping has been highlighted in this way by such an eminent organisation.

The Swedish Shipowners Association has expressed its disappointment that shipping was not included in the new climate agreement that was struck in Paris by countries represented at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. They believe that delegates in Paris failed to seize the moment to make a direct statement to the shipping industry about its commitments, and that more needs to be done to tackle the climate challenge. The Swedish shipping industry has one of the best track records of positive involvement in the development of innovative environmental solutions, and this will continue despite the Paris Agreement lacking a direct mention of shipping.

The Swedish government has proposed a Swedish tonnage tax system. The aim is for Swedish shipping companies to compete under equal conditions with companies in other countries in Europe. At Donsö Shipping Meet 2015, the Minister for Infrastructure Anna Johansson presented the government's maritime strategy. At the same time, she revealed that a Swedish tonnage tax will be introduced in summer 2016. Tonnage tax means that Swedish shipping companies will operate under competitive conditions similar to companies in other countries in Europe.... Swedish ships have been registered under flags of convenience for many years. Last year, the Swedish merchant fleet decreased by a further six ships, making 320 in all.

SEAaT, the association promoting abatement technology and emissions trading for ships, is to host the Shipping Emissions Trading Seminar on 2nd April at the IMO in London, to discuss and develop strategies for the implementation of emissions trading for shipping. The Seminar is by invite only and is structured to provide key stakeholders in shipping, finance and regulatory bodies and is designed to give an insight to the application of emissions trading for the shipping industry - set against the much-publicized environmental imperatives of today. The shipping industry, has so far been omitted from ETS plans, although the European Union has stated that it would like to see ETS for shipping in place.