I am honoured to be the new DNV Business Director for Container Ships, taking over for Knut A. Døhlie. With his dedication and enthusiasm, Knut has been a key factor in bringing DNV to its current position in the global container ship market. We are committed to further strengthen DNV’s role and our services towards this industry.
The container sector experiences difficult times with cost cutting, slow steaming, lay ups and recycling high on the agenda. Global concern over environmental changes and pressure on shipping to reduce emissions are stronger than ever.
At the upcoming COP15 conference in Copenhagen in December, the IMO is expected to present a comprehensive solution describing how the shipping industry is to reduce its emissions. Achieving these reductions will require short-term improvements to operations as well as fundamental breakthroughs on new fuels and technology.
In this issue of Container Ship Update you can read more about the expectations regarding the COP15 conference in Copenhagen, the use of LNG as an alternative fuel for shipping as well as the operational challenges related to slow steaming and the lay up of vessels. We also take a look at ultra large container ships and what the possible future will be.
In an interview with Søren Stig and Bo Cerup-Simonsen of AP Møller, you can read about how financial and environmental priorities can be harmonised. Substantial cost savings have been achieved by a systematic focus on fuel efficiency, reaping benefits for both the environment and the bottom line.
The challenges ahead will best be met by working together.
I look forward to meet with you and discuss how we can turn today’s challenges into opportunities for the future.
Vebjørn J. Guttormsen
Business Director
Container Ships
Date: 2009-12-17