The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has expressed its commitment to ensuring that any added cost that would be thrown up in the implementation of new technologies toward achieving greener shipping is not borne by Importers.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP, the executive secretary of the council, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, said Greener Shipping shouldn’t increase the cost of doing business at the nation’s port.
Jime, while speaking recently, said considering the fact that over 85 percent of goods and services that enters the country come through the seaport, any transition to greener fuels could be expensive, and consumers will most likely be at the receiving end due to the huge technological advancement that is required to adapt to this change.
“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council is committed to ensuring that the added cost thrown up in the implementation of these new technologies does not increase the cost of doing business at the Nigerian seaports because there is going to be an implication as far as cost is concerned. What we intend to do at Shippers’ Council as regulator is to make certain that when this cost comes, there is a sharing formula that will make it proportionate so that both the shipping companies and indeed the shippers are in a position to share the cost implication that will arise as a result of the transition,” Jime said.
He stated further, “The introduction of the 0.5 per cent sulphur cap by the IMO in a bid to deal with Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) from ships has given rise to concerns on how vessels can comply and how non-compliance will be dealt with around the world.
dustry is an important economic sector that contributes to more than 80 per cent of global trade.
“However, according to S&P Global Platts Analytics, the shipping industry currently accounts for between two per cent and three per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions and could be 17 per cent by 2050 if left unregulated. “Our environment is constantly changing, and as it changes, so does the need to become increasingly aware of the problems that surround and affect it.
“These environmental problems are prompting the need for renewable and sustainable energy across the world.” Jime noted that the call to responsibility for the shipping sector to take action to ensure zero-net environmental pollution demands deliberate efforts.
Speaking on meeting IMO 2020 targets, Jime said there is need for concerted and deliberate efforts of all concerned authorities towards adopting measures, not only to implement, but also to put in place accompanying measures to cushion the effects of the transition.
“Africa’s maritime sector is bound to be affected by the IMO 2020 targets and one of the key concerns of African states is the availability, quality and supply of low Sulphur fuel and whether refineries would be able to meet new demands.
“One of the challenges is that Africa’s maritime sector is still developing and will require resources and capacity-building to strengthen institutions which are responsible for incorporating international conventions into local law, implementing the legislation and policing the environmental legislation,” he said.
He, however, commended the Federal Ministry of Transportation for recognising the need to create a platform where such important matters that affect not only the Nigerian maritime industry but the global maritime industry and environment can be discussed.
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