The combination of climate and environmental challenges, and rising fuel prices mean that the shipping industry must seek alternative and sustainable energy options. New initiatives and technology are being developed and alternatives such as fuel cells, natural gas, nuclear power, bio fuels and wind energy are being considered.

Research, technology and product development is supported by the Danish Maritime Fund, which provides funding for climate and environmental research. The Fund has already supported a number or projects aimed at increasing energy efficiency in the shipping sector, including the development of the ‘injector effect’ which has already yielded savings of up to 10% in fuel consumption.

Key facts:

• 90% of the global trade in goods, food and fuel is carried by the international shipping industry. Danish companies account for shipping one-tenth of this.
   
• Making up just 2% of the final cost price, shipping is among the most cost-effective form of intercontinental transport.
   
• As world trade has expanded, the demand for shipping services has risen significantly. Between 1989 – 2009, seaborne trade has seen an increase of over 30%, from approximately 21000 billion tonne-miles to 32000 billion tonne-miles. 
   
• Shipping is responsible for 4% of global C0₂ emissions, compared to the total 23% emitted from the transport sector as a whole.
   
• Through MO, the international shipping community is working together to reduce the impact of shipping on the climate and the environment. 
   
• The Danish Shipowners’ Association aims at reducing C0₂ emissions by technical measures by 15% by 2020 on average compared to 2007. In addition, the Danish Shipowners’ Association strongly advocates the need for international market-based regulation, through the IMO, to support technical measures to reduce emissions. 
   
• In 2007, the Danish Shipowners’ Association drafted the first Climate Charter to increase transparency and accountability for Danish shipping companies to the climate change and environmental policies. 
  
  
• The Danish Shipowners’ Association also actively supports measures to boost research, development and innovation to improve energy efficiency and find alternative forms of energy, including the Green Ships of the Future – a flagship project that brings together shipping and non-shipping companies, researchers and academics to develop green solutions for shipping.
   
• The Danish Shipowners’ Association is championing environmental awareness in the shipping sector. In particular by preparing to implement the International Ballast Water Convention to limit the movement of dangerous microorganisms; and helping Danish industry to implement IMO’s 2004 agreement to reduce emissions of sulphur and nitrogen in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, whilst realising the difficulty posed to short sea shipping.