The UK Chamber of Shipping’s recently appointed President, Dr Grahaeme Henderson, has praised the significant progress the chamber has made to date but warns that the shipping industry needs to set its own reduction measures without the need for legislation before it’s too late.
During his inaugural address as the chamber’s President, Dr Henderson spoke of the changing world and the need for the industry to change along with it in order to prevent it losing touch and reducing its influence. He spoke of the need for a common agenda across the industry to ensure it is able to reach its goals regarding climate change and safety in particular.
Suggesting that reducing environmental impact of shipping needs to be a common agenda, Dr Hendersen warned that shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions are currently around 3% of the global total, but if no measures are taken this could rise to 17% by 2050. Although there are many variables and scenarios to make these predictions, he stated that “this is simply unacceptable and we have a responsibility to link arms together to set our own reduction measures, without the need for legislation. And we need to start now. This is our environment and society expects us to take action.”
Dr Henderson also addressed the importance of ensuring seafarer safety with the need for shipping companies to work together to a common goal of zero incidents.
Dr Henderson is currently working as Shell’s Vice President for Shipping and Marine and is responsible for Shell’s international shipping and maritime activities, including ships, barges, drilling units, floating production facilities and related operations.
During the AGM, Sir Michael Bibby, Managing Director of Bibby Line, was elected as Vice President.
Ship Efficiency Review News
To contact the editor responsible for this article email editor@fathom-mi.com
