Environment and Sustainability

This course covers the MARPOL regulations for Annex 1 as well as the means of compliance onboard ships with these regulations.

Climate change affects all people on our planet, which means that it will also affect You. It doesn't matter where you are, the greenhouse gases and their impacts concern everyone, but the consequences are going to differ depending on where you live. However, one thing is for sure, the world as we know it is going to change; the question is just how, when and to what extent.

The correct maintaining and filling-in of the oil record books are vital in ensuring compliance. It also provides evidence that the vessel is not polluting in contravention of the MARPOL regulations. All vessels over 400 grt must keep records of machinery space operations in the Oil Record Book Part 1 to comply with the MARPOL regulations.

This course introduces the concept of Shipboard Energy Efficiency Plans and how they can be implemented onboard. The conservation of energy through new technologies and better operational practices can help to reduce the carbon footprint of shipping operations and reduce operational costs for fuel and power.

What is the worst thing that could happen? "It is only Ballast Water" you might say. However, the consequences of poor Ballast Water Management could cause health problems for many people, financial losses for the company, and also harm the world's ecosystems. There is a reason that this convention entered into force. In this course, you are going to learn more about your role and about different methods for handling Ballast Water.

The purpose of this course is to provide Engineers and shore superintendents with a basic knowledge of the source, use and precautions to be taken when using fuel oils on board ships. It covers Bunkering operations and the dubious practices used by some suppliers.

Regulation 37 of MARPOL Annex I requires that oil tankers of 150 gross tonnes and above and all ships of 400 gross tonnes and above carry an approved Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP). This must be read and understood by all officers and crew so that any oil spills that do occur have minimal impact on the marine environment.

All garbage and waste generated onboard should be disposed of responsibly and in accordance with the provisions of MARPOL Annex 5 where required. Vessels should have management plans and logbooks to ensure compliance with these regulations.

This course gives an introduction to the regulation of energy efficiency on ships, also known as the EEXI and CII requirements.

Ballast water is essential for ship stability, as it compensates for changes in displacement as cargoes are loaded or discharged. It also helps control trim, list & stability as well as minimising stresses on the ship’s structure. However, over the last 25 years, environmental issues have taken an increasingly high profile. The conveying of organisms across the world and depositing them in regions where they are unwanted has been an unwelcome consequence of ballast water discharge.

In 1973, IMO adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, now known universally as MARPOL, which the Protocols of 1978 and 1997 have amended; it has been kept updated with relevant amendments. The MARPOL Convention addresses pollution from ships by oil; by noxious liquid substances carried in bulk; harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form; sewage, garbage and the prevention of air pollution from ships. MARPOL has greatly contributed to a significant decrease in pollution from international shipping and applies to 99% of the world’s merchant tonnage

An Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS), often referred to as scrubbers, is a device installed onboard marine vessels that literally “scrubs” harmful sulphur oxides from exhaust gases.

The technology is commonly installed on ships seeking compliance options in the face of tighter emissions regulations. Scrubbers have been adopted for compliance within Emission Control Areas near coastlines. They are also being installed to comply with the International Maritime Organization’s global sulphur cap from 1st January 2020.