Quick Dips
Curated topical articles on the Blue Economy

‘Black carbon’ threat to Arctic as sea routes open up with global heating

Karen McVeigh, The Guardian Shipping & Ports

As climate crisis allows new maritime routes to be used, sooty shipping emissions accelerates ice melt and risk to ecosystems.

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Revealed: ships may dump oil up to 3,000 times a year in Europe’s waters

Paddison, L. et al., The Guardian Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports

Collaborative investigation shows ships regularly discharge ‘bilge’ water illegally instead of treating it, with toxic effect on marine life.

Read more → (6 minute read)


The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation and the Global Maritime Forum sign knowledge partnership to accelerate shipping decarbonisation

Global Maritime Forum Energy Solutions Shipping & Ports

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and the Global Maritime Forum have signed a partnership agreement to support and accelerate the transition of the global maritime industry to a low-carbon future.

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Transforming Shipping for Climate, People and Nature

Billecocq, I.B. et al., United Nations Foundation Shipping & Ports

Transforming global shipping is a critical part of reaching the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C and building zero emissions, resilient global supply chains that billions of people rely on.

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Rethinking global supply chains for the energy transition

Joisa Saraiva & David G. Victor, World Economic Forum Energy Solutions Shipping & Ports

We need to rethink global supply chains in order to support the energy transition.

Read more → (5 minute read)


‘Nurdles are everywhere’: how plastic pellets ravaged a Sri Lankan paradise

Zinara Rathnayake, The Guardian Plastics & Pollution Shipping & Ports

The country’s golden beaches have turned black as debris released from a sunken ship continues to wreak environmental and economic havoc.

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Catching up with an Ocean Changemaker

World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group Shipping & Ports

Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for carbon-neutral shipping? Challenge winner Casimir Morobé of Toqua tells us how winning has impacted his start-up.

Read more → (4 minute read)


Antarctica’s unique ecosystem is threatened by invasive species ‘hitchhiking’ on ships

Arlie McCarthy, The Conversation Shipping & Ports

The best way to protect against this is to prevent any non-native species arriving in the first place.

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World’s largest coal port to be 100% powered by renewable energy

Royce Kurmelovs, The Guardian Energy Solutions Shipping & Ports

Port of Newcastle says move is part of plan to decarbonise the business by 2040 and ‘we don’t really have a choice’.

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U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Announces Over $241 Million in Grants for America’s Ports

Marine Administration, US Department of Transportation Shipping & Ports

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 PIDP includes priorities related to job creation, climate change, and environmental justice impacts.

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Sustainable shipping has a two-speed setting

Paul Hickin and Surabhi Sahu, S&P Global Shipping & Ports

Shipping's ability to meet decarbonization targets seem both extremely easy and very tough.

Read more → (6 minute read)


Rolls-Royce to launch mtu methanol engines for sustainable shipping

Ship Technology Shipping & Ports

Methanol, unlike ammonia, is safe for environment and not toxic in nature.

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Together we fight: Protecting the ocean and combating climate change

World Ocean Initiative, The Economist Group Shipping & Ports

A guest blog from World Ocean Summit Asia-Pacific speaker Kitack Lim, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

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New deal to decarbonise shipping isn’t enough – here’s how global trade can reach net-zero

Wim Naudé, The Conversation Shipping & Ports

Much of the world has been left disappointed by the Glasgow Climate Pact, the outcome of the COP26 climate conference. Scientists say it will not lead to the decarbonisation required to limit global warming to less than 2°C in the coming years.

Read more → (5 minute read)


Shipping emissions must fall by a third by 2030 and reach zero before 2050 – new research

Bullock, S. et al., The Conversation Shipping & Ports

Progress on cutting emissions in shipping has been slow. In fact, emissions are no lower now than they were ten years ago.

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How to make fragile global supply chains stronger and more sustainable

Guitouni, A. et al., The Conversation Shipping & Ports

For most of us, supply chains are no longer an abstract concept. The COVID-19 pandemic raised our awareness about the interdependence of our economic systems.

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Shipping firms vow to cut emissions if governments support low-carbon tech

Fiona Harvey, The Guardian Shipping & Ports

Industry calls for levy to fund new technologies – but environmentalists say proposal blocks climate progress.

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Ten ways to cut shipping’s contribution to climate change – from a researcher

Simon Bullock, The Conversation Shipping & Ports

To keep below the threshold of 1.5 degrees °C of warming – the goal of the Paris climate agreement – immediate reductions in carbon emissions are needed. 

Read more → (5 minute read)


Ship recycling: building a circular economy for the high seas

World Economic Forum Shipping & Ports

A speaker blog for World Ocean Summit Asia-Pacific by Sabrina Chao, president of BIMCO.

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3 steps towards making aviation and marine fuel cleaner

Anjan Ray, World Economic Forum Energy Solutions Shipping & Ports

On the current trajectory, sustainable fuels will only supply a small percentage of aviation and shipping needs. Favourable government policies are needed to increase production and adoption of sustainable fuels in both sectors.

Read more → (5 minute read)