Like all other forms of transport, shipping has an impact on the environment. Ships are powered by bunkers (fuel oil) that emit CO2, NOx and particles of sulphur into the atmosphere when burned. Antifouling paint can include hazardous heavy metals, and sewage from vessels can add harmful nutrients to the marine environment. In addition, ships can cause noise pollution, especially while in port. Ballast water in intercontinental ships can also contain alien plant and animal species (so-called “invasive species”).
DFDS’ over-arching goal for its environmental work is to develop the operation of our ships and other activities towards consumption of less energy and less impact per transported unit on the surrounding environment.
Emissions
CO2 is the most common greenhouse gas, and the volume emitted rises or falls proportionally with fuel consumption. The most effective manner of reducing CO2 emissions is therefore to reduce the consumption of bunkers per transported unit.
Reduction of bunker consumption
A project to reduce bunker consumption, launched at the start of 2007, included a number of technical and operational initiatives, as well as more exact measurement of consumption. Technical initiatives included, for example, improved engine efficiency and use of energy, recycling of excess water and better management of onboard energy consumption. Operational initiatives included changes to the ships' service speeds and the regulation of departure and arrival times in order to reduce the service time, which in turn reduces bunker consumption. In 2007, reductions in the region of 2–3% were achieved in energy consumption, and also therefore in emissions.
Large-scale operations provide advantages for the environment
In the longer term, the DFDS fleet will move towards bigger ships for commercial and environmental considerations. The concentration of freight volumes on larger but fewer vessels will reduce energy consumption and emissions per transported unit.
Sulphur content reduced
The amount of sulphur particles emitted by ships' engines depends on the volume of fuel consumed and its sulphur content. In DFDS's primary geographic areas of operation, the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, new international legislation has reduced the sulphur content of bunkers to 1.5% compared to the previous level of 4.5%. It is expected that the move towards bunkers with a lower sulphur content will continue over the next few years.
Antifouling paint
DFDS is in the process of replacing the fleet’s antifouling paint with a new type of silicone-based paint. This is not only environmentally friendly, but also reduces the ships' friction in the water, so energy consumption, and consequently emissions, are reduced. The previously used types of antifouling paints, which contained tin and emitted environmentally damaging heavy metals into the marine environment, are no longer permitted.
Sewage emissions
DFDS’ ships are fitted with biological cleansing units that biodegrade the sewage generated by onboard water consumption. The sewage is then collected in tanks and discharged away from coastal and particularly sensitive marine areas, in order to put as little strain on the marine environment as possible. New procedures, including pumping sewage onshore, are expected to be introduced as appropriate units are set up to receive the waste, and as improved cleansing and storage facilities are developed on new ships.
Ballast water
Ballast water from ships can transfer alien species (invasive species) from one ecosystem to another, causing an imbalance in the local marine environment. DFDS’s ships mainly operate in marine areas with closely related ecosystems, so the problem of transferring alien species between different ecosystems must be considered extremely limited.
Less noise pollution
DFDS is actively making efforts to reduce noise pollution from ships calling at and docking in ports in areas with noise-sensitive environments. In particular, work is being done on technical improvements in the form of noise insulation for engines and ramps. Efforts are also being made to reduce noise by changing routines. In addition, noise pollution in general will decrease in the future, as noise reduction is an important consideration in the construction phase of new tonnage.
Focus on environmental policy
In the second half of 2007, as part of the Group's improvement and efficiency programme (the “Go Forward Plan”), a project was launched to develop a new and more proactive environmental policy. The new environmental policy will include all activities, transcending business areas and countries, so that a high degree of consistency is achieved in the approach to the work of reducing impact on the environment. The goal is to use environmental certification to create a dynamic, transparent environmental policy that, on the basis of quantifiable, objective criteria, will ensure development towards a more environmentally-sustainable transport company.
For more information on the Ferry Industry and the environment visit www.sailanddrive.com