Green Maritime Transport as a Part of Global Green Intermodal Chains

Abstract

Environmental pollution is increasingly becoming a major global problem. Consequently, companies and policy makers are facing mounting pressure to reduce their impacts of logistics activities and make transport greener. The challenge to reduce the carbon intensity of maritime transport is even more important when we take into equation the fact that carries about 90% of the world trade. While car industry has already taken actions to greener cars, maritime industry is subject to fewer regulations and slower progress. This article overviews upcoming trends of green intermodal chains, initiatives in green maritime transport and how noteworthy is share of their impact in the transport chain as a whole. Speed reduction is one of most important measures which can be implemented right away with win-win impacting on environment and fuel cost. The study analysis environmental impacts of different services to eastern Adriatic ports, with special emphasis of slow steaming impacts on pollution level. The paper exposes that direct lines with bigger ships cause lower emissions of CO2, NOx and SOx and that with decisions of slow steaming the pollution level decreases significantly.