The Sustainable Shipping Initiative [https://sustainableshipping.or...] has released its latest report regarding shipping and marine biodiversity. The goal of the Sustainable Shipping Initiative is, as stated in the report, to “reduce the impact of international shipping on marine biodiversity by 30% by 2030.” Progress is already being made. Reducing fuel consumption, it turns out, has had a far more positive effect on ocean health than anyone previously recognized. While it is not often discussed, recognized, or claimed, developments in maritime shipping such as cleaner hulls, reduced mechanical strain, and quieter propellers have distinct benefits for marine biodiversity. The report states that if systems to track and enforce these developments are put in place, it should be simple to reach the 30% impact reduction, and beyond.
The benefits of these less discussed measures are obvious once it is brought up. Underwater noise causes terrible disruptions in marine life, which is mitigated by redesigning propellers to be quieter. In addition, these redesigned propellers can also cut fuel costs. Keeping hulls clean not only reduces drag but prevents the transfer of invasive species clinging to the hulls. If these measures can be accurately tracked, it will become far easier to expand them further and protect marine biodiversity to a greater degree.
The shipping industry is not the only industry on the water. Many people, like coastal communities, fishing fleets, and the tourism industry, also rely upon the ocean for their livelihood. Protecting the ocean means not only protecting your business, but the business of everyone else who is associated with it. Both the marine life in the ocean and the human lives that rely upon it are important and should benefit from the measures taken to protect the environment. As decarbonization progresses, these other measures can be taken as well.
