“To continue as usual is not an option. Society expects fundamental rethinking.”

How would you describe the purpose of BIMCO?

BIMCO is an international shipping organization, which acts as an independent association of shipowners, shipping companies, shipbrokers, shipping agencies and numerous other shipping stakeholders. We aim to improve standards and harmonise rules and laws in maritime shipping and put an effort into being a trusted partner and independent expert. Our more than 50 employees provide a lot of practical advice to our members – also to the smaller members which might not have the necessary in-house capabilities, because they don’t have a large legal team or experts on a variety of operational issues.

What are the challenges in the field of environmental law and regulations?

We are making progress as an industry but I think there is still a long way to go. The challenge is to get all relevant stakeholders on board despite very different circumstances all around the world. It’s a challenge to be sufficiently progressive but at the same time bringing everyone along in order to comply with the environmental laws. However, this is an essential prerequisite for such an international industry. We see this for example in the case of not throwing plastic over board. This has been a rule in shipping all the way back to the seventies. Naturally, these regulations have to be embraced by the companies themselves, it must be both company policy and culture, and ultimately it all boils down to the actions of every single individual involved.

Are there any mid-term goals for the environmental aspects within the next few years?

We believe that mandatory requirements for hull cleaning in regard to biofouling will be the next point on the agenda. This is why we at BIMCO took the initiative to develop an international standard for hull cleaning and with that a certification screening for hull cleaners to ensure a certain quality throughout the whole process. To avoid local individual solutions which may be incompatible, or even conflicting, we want to move into a global process at IMO and establish worldwide standards.

How do you rate Hapag-Lloyd’s recent efforts? What do you think about IMO’s long-term goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

We are very happy to have Hapag-Lloyd as an active member in our committees. I know about your project to retrofit a vessel to LNG propulsion. Such a commitment is needed in our initiatives and a step in the right direction. Of course, there are technological developments and these decisions could be different in 10 years’ time. Counteracting climate change in the long-term can only be achieved by avoiding emissions from fossil fuels. The IMO has made its position clear by setting a goal to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We believe a lot of research and development is needed to achieve this goal. Therefore, we propose to set up an R&D fund together with the World Shipping Council, among others, to drive technological developments in the right direction. Hapag- Lloyd is a welcome partner in this drive!