The Triple-E vessels, along with other cargo ships built from 2013 and on, will be regulated by the world’s first global rules on CO2 emissions. Maersk will both benefit and face some challenges as a consequence.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) passed global regulations for C02 emissions in July. The rules will apply to most cargo ship types of more than 400 gross tonnage built after January 1 2013. For Maersk it will affect new containerships and tankers.
"We are very pleased that we got global regulations. It is what we have been arguing for for several years, because strong global rules will be an advantage for Maersk," says Niels Bjørn Mortensen, Head of Regulatory Affairs in Maersk Maritime Technoglogy.
The regulations demand that the new ships fulfill a certain CO2 emission criteria based on cargo capacity, fuel consumption and speed – in total called an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). The regulations will gradually become stricter over time, meaning that ships will have to be built to higher and higher emission standards.
According to IMO, the introduction of the EEDI for all new ships will mean that between 45 and 50 million tonnes of CO2 will be removed from the atmosphere annually by 2020, compared with “business as usual” and depending on the growth in world trade.
Maersk Line advantage
For container ships, Maersk is comfortably positioned to exceed the requirements, because Maersk Line has full control of the design of their vessels. The Triple-E vessels will for example be much more efficient than required when built.
“Although the efficiency standard is not hugely ambitious, it is an important first step, and actually the first time that any industry has been regulated globally on CO2,” says Jacob Sterling, Head of Climate and Environment in Maersk Line.
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Maersk is comfortably positioned to exceed the requirements
