By Marek Grzybowski
In January, DNV and the Swedish Responsible Shipping Initiative (RSI) launched a study on the renewal of fleets sailing in the Baltic and North Seas. Poland has the design and shipbuilding potential to join this initiative of replacing traditional ships with zero-emission vessels. PRS knows how to certify innovative solutions on zero-emission ships.
Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and the Responsible Shipping Initiative (RSI) have started work on a feasibility study to develop regulations and parameters according to which ships should be introduced to the waters of the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.
DNV is the world’s leading quality assurance and risk management company and operates in over 100 countries. RSI is a non-profit organization connecting owners and operators of bulk carriers who operate mainly in the surrounding seas, especially in the Baltic and North Seas.
Time for the synergy of shipping, ports, cargo operators
RSI members focus on promoting responsible shipping, including working conditions, health and safety and environmental protection. Standards are maintained by checking the conditions on ships operating in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.
– For this purpose, RSI carries out inspections of ships chartered by its members – informs the board of the association.
“This initiative is a great opportunity to share knowledge, define [ships – MG] parameters and standards, find common ground and discuss possible synergies to identify what is achievable for future transport needs,” explains Sebastian Tamm, President of RSI , sustainable development and logistics manager at EFO (RSI member).
– Buyers of transport services may lack information about available solution options and practical [economic – MG] implications for their value chains. We started by mapping the current transport routes, cargo volumes, ship and port utilization of each company participating in the study, in order to understand the logistics and transhipment requirements and identify areas with the greatest potential for green fleet renewal,” says Hannes von Knorring, Principal Consultant, DNV Maritime about the project.
Poland has potential
Poland has the design and shipbuilding potential to join this initiative, especially since it will be implemented in the Baltic Sea. Polish design offices StoGda and Remontowa Design as well as CRIST and Remontowa Shipbuilding shipyards are already participating in the introduction of hybrid or electric ships to the maritime transport market.
Remontowa Group converted the Stena Germanika ferry to run on methanol a few years ago. Polish ports have already mastered LNG bunkering. In the public ferry terminal in Gdynia, there is a connection for the electric supply of ships from land.
And the Gdynia – Karlskrona service is served by two innovative Stena Line ferries, which can be powered by ecological fuels, and use electric propulsion for up to 11 hours.
PRS participates in the work of IMO on an ongoing basis, and through its unit implements, among others, regulation aimed at decarbonising maritime transport. Poland has the potential to become actively involved in the development of responsible shipping in the Baltic and North Seas.
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