Julian Bevis: On a slow boat to clean, green shipping

Environmentally friendly sea transport has a vital role to play in promoting New Zealand's trading interests. Photo / Supplied

Carrying out our business in an environmentally responsible fashion is a high priority for Maersk. So it was very satisfying to see Maersk Line named Sustainable Shipping Operator of the Year at the Sustainable Shipping Awards held in London last month.

Award organisers cited the work Maersk Line has done to establish the savings potential of slow steaming.

Since 2007, more than 100 of our vessels have used super slow steaming and, thanks to our collaboration with engine manufacturers, Maersk's entire fleet is now capable of sailing at half speed, which yields considerable reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Reducing the speed of a ship substantially reduces the power required. Traditional policy set the minimum engine load at between 40 and 60 per cent.

However, a 2007 study initiated by Maersk showed it was safe to go as low as 10 per cent.

For large container ships such as the Emma Maersk, the ability to select any given speed down to 10 per cent load can save 3500 tonnes of fuel and 10,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.

Maersk's focus on minimising our environmental footprint covers the entire lifecycle of our ships, from energy-efficient construction to voyage planning programmes that identify the most fuel-efficient route and emissions standards well in advance of International Maritime Organisation regulations, right through to Maersk's ship recycling initiative.

Even the choice of paint plays a part in minimising friction and thereby reducing fuel consumption.

However, as the food miles issue demonstrated so plainly, for countries dependent on exporting to far-flung markets, like New Zealand, and for companies whose business is built on transporting goods around the world, like Maersk, the most pressing environmental issues come from the increasingly close connections between climate concerns and trade policy.

Herald columnist Fran O'Sullivan recently drew attention to what she called "a more immediate threat" than the potential effects of increased greenhouse gas emissions - the potential for concerns around climate change to be used as an excuse for the introduction of de facto protectionism.

If December's Copenhagen climate change summit cannot agree on a united strategy, O'Sullivan's fears might be realised.

Last month, the US Congress passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The first climate change bill to pass either the Senate or the House, it includes a provision that would enable the US to impose tariffs on goods produced in nations that do not commit to greenhouse gas reductions.

In Europe, France in particular has repeatedly called for strict "carbon equalisation" measures that would have a similar effect.

Compared with other modes of transport, sea transport is by far the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Compared with primary producers around the world, New Zealand farmers and horticulturists are similarly streets ahead of the competition in terms of environmental sustainability.

Working together, and with government and other stakeholders to ensure we make the most of those advantages, is perhaps more important than ever before.

* Julian Bevis is managing director of Maersk New Zealand.