According to the Sea Cargo Charter, international shipping is responsible for 2-3% of global greenhouse gas emissions per year. If the international shipping sector were a country, it would be the 6th largest emitter.

Fortunately, governments and industry organizations are pushing for more sustainable practices and environmental regulations for ships and ports have been tightened since 1997. The result is that the maritime sector is now not only morally obliged to change its practices, but also legally obliged to do so.

There is an increasing sense of urgency due to the rapid degradation of the environment, and as a result, stakeholders across the maritime sector have started to pay more attention to sustainability issues and many positive changes are now taking place.

What does climate change mean to you?

The environment is now a high priority for governments and businesses around the world, meaning the maritime sector is under enormous pressure to change. Ship owners face increased scrutiny from customers and authorities, but are also beginning to see the economic benefits and commercial opportunities of more sustainable practices.

It is clear that in a sector as large and diverse as the maritime sector, there are many problems to be solved. That is why the International Marine Purchasing Association (IMPA) established the IMPA SAVE initiative in 2020, which aims to support the UN Sustainability Goals and educate the marine and offshore industry on available sustainable solutions.

Stephen Alexander, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary General of the IMPA SAVE Council for Maritime Supply Chain Sustainability, reports that shipping companies and suppliers are now making sustainability a priority and that product life cycles, waste management and supply chain management are key areas of focus.

The maritime sector faces numerous sustainability issues, including:

Reduce emissions

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) estimates that shipping emissions will increase by 120% by 2050, meaning shipping could account for as much as 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Reduce plastics

More than 8 million tonnes of plastic ends up in our oceans every year and floating plastic waste is currently the most common marine litter.

Waste management

Waste management is also a huge challenge for the maritime sector, because it is not just about what manufacturers and suppliers do in terms of environmentally friendly materials, but also about what happens in ports in terms of recycling and management of waste.

Responsible chain management

Responsible supply chain management encompasses a number of different priorities, including environmental protection, carbon reduction, social responsibility and resource conservation.

Green supply chain management

Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) involves the integration of environmental guidelines into supply chain management. The key principle behind GSCM is to strive to reduce environmental impacts by focusing on actions that promote sustainability and limit environmental impacts.

Environmental protection legislation

As environmental degradation worsens and pollution levels increase, it becomes increasingly urgent to drive tangible change in this area. Communities around the world are demanding a cleaner and more sustainable environment and this is a major factor driving environmental protection legislation.

While the transition to more sustainable practices is an important opportunity for the maritime industry, it also requires a complete transformation of the sector.