The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass), a leading ship classification society, announced during the COP21 Paris Agreement that it fully supports India’s effort to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Speaking at the Conference on the topic ‘GHG Emissions From Indian Shipping – Impact and Mitigating Measures’, Mr Arun Sharma, CMD, IRClass, represented the views of the Indian Shipping fraternity and defended shipping as the most energy efficient mode of transport.
Mr Sharma stated that there is a need to shift cargo from the traditional means to the more cost-efficient and low carbon emissions sea mode. Although the majority of cargo movement within India is by road and rail, Mr Sharma indicated that it is particularly important to choose the most efficient modes of transport for long haul trade, whereas short routes can be accomplished via other modes.
This type of approach, he continued, will not only reduce GHG emissions and lower road and rail costs, but will also reduce the risk profile as ships are largely safer means of transport, and will contribute to reducing the burden on the overloaded road sector.
Based on the success of the ‘Marco Polo Project’ in Europe, Mr Sharma suggested that a ‘modal shift’ may prove beneficial to India in their efforts to minimise GHG emissions. He also called upon the need to provide a thrust for coastal shipping and inland waterways to effectively utilise the Indian coastline to help reduce the country’s overall carbon footprint.
Addressing the Paris Conference, Mr Sharma stated: “The mitigation measures available to reduce the emission levels are technical and operational; while technical measures have significant potential for emission reduction requiring initial investment, the operational measures can have an immediate emission reduction, but in incremental measures.”
