A report that explores the potential impact of emerging technology, policy and decisions on the future of shipping has been published by the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) and Forum for the Future (see box).
The 25-page report, called Signals of Change, identified 15 ‘weak signals’ that its authors believe will have an impact on shipping in the future. These include topics such as 3D printing, seabed mining and even the effect on shipping’s cargo volumes of concerns about high-profile aviation accidents.
Alastair Fischbacher, chief executive at the SSI, explained the report’s choice of topics. “Despite the immediate challenges facing shipping, to ensure that the industry is robust, dynamic and profitable in the future it is important to step back and evaluate how the global innovations that are either outside of, or adjacent to shipping, could have an impact on the sector,” he said. “The industry will be better ›››
››› placed to adapt and seize opportunities if it identifies and understands these signs early on.”
In a statement to mark the report’s publication, the SSI highlighted seabed mining as an example of its approach. It could become “a major game-changer,” it said. “Despite polarised views on its feasibility as a sustainable source of natural resources, the International Seabed Authority has granted 19 exploration licences. Such initiatives are likely to drive further debate around the ownership rights and regulatory developments of the oceans.”
In a foreword to the report, Franck Violette and Maarten van der Klip, who run the SSI’s Blue Skies working group, said that three themes had emerged from the analysis, “which could evolve to have a significant impact on shipping.” These were:
• Who will govern the oceans?
• Will we recognise the future captains of the sea?
• What will be the nature of our cargo?
The report does not offer firm conclusions or a specific action plan. Rather, it discusses themes and suggests their implications for shipping. “We do not have all the immediate answers,” admit Mr Violette and Mr van der Klip, “but it is important that we begin to answer them.”
The groups behind the report
Signals of Change has been produced by two organisations, the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) and Forum for the Future.
The SSI describes itself as “an ambitious coalition of shipping leaders from around the world,” which is “working to achieve a vision of a shipping industry that is both profitable and sustainable by 2040.”
It currently has 17 members:
• Shipowners, charterers and operators: Bunge, Cargill, Carnival Corp, China Navigation Co, Gearbulk, IMC, Maersk Line and U-Ming Marine Transport Corp.
• Shipbuilders, engineers and service providers: Namura Shipbuilding Co, Wärtsilä.
• Bank: ABN AMRO.
• Classification societies: Lloyd’s Register, American Bureau of Shipping.
• Shipping customers: AkzoNobel, Unilever.
• Non-government organisations: Forum for the Future, World Wide Fund For Nature.
Forum for the Future is a network of more than 130 organisations worldwide, focused on changing global food and energy systems. As part of that, it takes an interest in sectors such as shipping, finance and digital technology and works with business, government and other organisations to solve complex sustainability challenges.
Its Futures Centre provides an online forum to help “explore how change is unfolding.” From mid April – as this issue went to press – it was due to include ‘topic hubs’ for specific areas of interest, the first of which explores the future of shipping. To access the hub, it is necessary to register to use the site. MP
Read the full report via
www.tinyurl.com/SSI-Signals
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.