Greenhouse gases from the shipping industry could be much worse than thought, according to information by Intertanko, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners.
[mailchimp_signup][/mailchimp_signup]Up to now, the International Maritime Organisation has assumed that between 200 and 250 million tonnes of bunker fuel has been used annually, but Intertanko’s findings suggest the figure is at least 350m.
Based on recalculations based on the sizes of ships, fuel efficiency and horse power, it is now believed shipping emits around 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, instead of the 800m previously thought. This compares with around 650m tonnes for aviation.
Bill Box of Intertanko told the London newspaper The Times: ‘Planes, trains and cars have tightened up much more than shipping. Shipping is conscious it is the last to tighten up and that things must be done –
and quickly.’
This news story is taken from the October 2007 edition of T&E Bulletin.
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