Hamburg: Classification society Germanischer Lloyd has launched a prototype CO2 index for all GL-classed ships within "fleet online". The move comes at a time when the shipping industry finds itself under increasing pressure to monitor and reduce emissions, and is based on voluntary guidelines outlined in Circular 471 of the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee.
Speaking at a press dinner in London this week, Hermann Klein (pictured), member of the GL Executive Board said, "It is likely that the revised Kyoto protocol will include CO2 emissions for all types of transport including by air, road and sea and there could be a tax imposed that will cost shipowners between $30 to $100 per tonne of carbon produced."
"We have offered GL customers this pilot project so that they can optimise their fleet," he said, adding that the prototype index allows shipowners to calculate the amount of carbon emitted based on installed power, consumed fuel and transported cargo.
The CO2 index is calculated for each voyage and later averaged for a period (currently undefined, but likely to be a year). At the end of the period, a GL surveyor will check the recorded data and eventually issue (on behalf of a flag state), a certified CO2 index that is validated for the next period.
Owners can compare data for various vessels across their fleet, offset carbon emissions and examine differences in fuel consumption. They can accurately identify vessels that have lower emissions, and in turn this may lead to the increased development of environmentaly friendly new ship designs, GL hopes. [23/11/07]
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