Report: Decarbonisation Remains Maritime’s Biggest Challenge

In a year that has seen geopolitical tensions rise, fuel costs soar and skill shortages deepen, it’s significant that environmental regulation continues to be the big issue for logistics leaders. 

In Global Maritime’s 2022 Issue Monitor, experts ranked the environment as having more of a potential impact than the economy, pandemics and new trading patterns. 

Last year was the same. Businesses simply aren’t certain their industry is prepared for it. Although that could be changing… 

Ready for regulation? 

Respondents agreed that the industry is better prepared than it was for eliminating the use of fossil fuels in shipping. 

While decarbonisation and environmental regulation is still expected to have the biggest impact on the sector, leaders remain confident that maritime is moving in the right direction. This optimism could be a result of wider industry acceptance of the need to decarbonise. 

However, it continues to dominate their list of concerns because too few shipping and freight organisations know how to reduce their carbon effectively. 

Currently, there are several proposed initiatives to achieve a net-zero future for shipping, but they remain vague. Advancing shipboard technology, funding zero-carbon fuel production and making it easier to adopt low-carbon solutions are all reasonable campaigns but none have yet to be proven to make a difference. 

Not without the right talent 

The Global Maritime report goes on to suggest that attracting and retaining talent remains key shedding some light on these decarbonisation initiatives. According to Roberto Spanu, Head Marine Loss Prevention and Sustainability Director at Swiss De Corporate Solutions, the answer is the younger generation. 

“Young talent must be attracted and, above all, retained by ensuring a systematic and diversified growth in skills, competencies, and responsibilities.” Spanu said. Why? Because it’s that generation that are most invested in designing digital solutions to combat climate change, and to attract them you need to show similar enthusiasm. 

But businesses need to do more than bridge the knowledge gap that exists between this generation and the maritime industry. They need to make the former more appealing to work for. 

Captain Rajesh Unni, Founder and CEO of Synergy Marine confirmed “The majority of seafarers work on a contract basis and constant dealing with crew turnover is a major source of frustration and stress.” He added that company benefits could be leveraged to lower staff turnover. 

The route forward 

For maritime businesses to get better control of their carbon emissions, they need experts. According to research, these experts are largely young, engaged in the climate conversation and motivated by modern work culture. That means hybrid working, wellbeing initiatives and education opportunities. 

The businesses that do adopt these measures will be rewarded. As their team will become more diverse and successful in mitigating the impact of climate legislation. 

If you’re worried about sustainability initiatives impacting your supply chain, get in touch. Cardinal are Planet Mark certified. Our team have invested in environmentally friendly measures to help reduce our carbon footprint, and we’ve spent time assessing the impact that these measures will have on the industry at large.