Abstract: This paper emphasizes the need for companies to minimize their carbon emissions. It specifically focuses on the maritime sector, examining the design and production of fender systems and proposing methods to assess their carbon footprint. Ultimately, it not only offers mechanisms to reduce emissions but also introduces – most importantly – a unique tool to quantify the CO2 footprint. In essence, it represents a notable step forward in encouraging sustainability in the maritime industry.
The challenge.
The maritime industry stands at the crossroads of global trade and environmental stewardship, facing increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices amidst rising concerns over its significant environmental footprint. A significant yet often overlooked aspect of this challenge is the impact of fender systems, essential for the safe berthing of vessels, on the industry’s carbon emissions. This paper addresses the urgent need to quantify and mitigate the carbon footprint of these systems, a vital step towards the fender industry's sustainable transformation.
The objective.
The aim of this paper is to outline the development of a pioneering tool designed to accurately measure the carbon footprint of fender systems used in the maritime industry. The tool seeks to clarify the environmental impact of these safety elements, unlocking the transparency that maritime stakeholders were lacking and facilitating the adoption of more sustainable practices in the design, production, and selection of fender systems by clients.
The method.
The assessment analyzes all components and the manufacturing process of a customized fender system, including the emissions generated during transportation to the system's final location, from cradle to gate. It utilizes specific data for each project, taking into account greenhouse gas (GHG) factors associated with materials such as rubber, steel, and plastics, as well as activities both before and after production.
This method allows for the calculation of GHG emissions data for each individual order.
Furthermore, through the comparison of various outcomes, from available more sustainable alternatives, the tool pinpoints the elements that significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions during the production of the fender system. The analysis notably points out that steel and recycled carbon black offer considerable opportunities for reducing CO2 emissions. This is important information given that CO2 accounts for roughly three-quarters of all greenhouse gas emissions.
How does this project / topic contribute to the advancement of the industry and profession?: The figures offered by the pioneering tool provides transparency and accountability unlike anything seen before in the CO2 emissions. The assessment approach presented in the paper is twofold: empowering customers to demand more transparency from fender manufacturers and enabling them to make informed decisions.
Does the project / topic implement new and innovative techniques, materials, technologies, and delivery methods?: The paper outlines measures to reduce their CO2 emission levels and present a unique approach to measuring CO2 emissions in the fender industry.
What was the most challenging aspect of your project / topic and how did you handle it to ensure success?: How can a fender manufacturer claim sustainability without full visibility and accountability over full supply chain? Many fender manufacturers make broad sustainability claims and implement initiatives on their facilities to reduce emissions. While this is a positive step, customers are often left uninformed about the specific CO2 emission details per order and any efforts can be undermined: if a company has neither control over, nor responsibility for the rubber compounding and rubber mixing process. We took a step further analizing fully owned compounding and mixing facility, maintaining complete control over each component from cradle to gate.
Who is the target audience for this paper?: The focus is on the entire maritime community: engineering companies, port operators and port authorities. All are potential targets, as sustainability is the responsibility of society as a whole.
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