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RENEWABLE ENERGY HAS POTENTIAL TO CHANGE LANDSCAPE OF SHIPPING SECTOR IN MALAYSIA

RENEWABLE ENERGY HAS POTENTIAL TO CHANGE LANDSCAPE OF SHIPPING SECTOR IN MALAYSIA

Thursday, 23/09/2021

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The shipping sector is the pulse of world’s economic development. It is estimated that around 80% of global trades are facilitated through maritime transport. Based on the report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), maritime transport has experienced a positive growth on a yearly basis.

However, the shipping sector is one of the main contributors of air pollution especially around port areas and also coastal areas. The fossil fuel used contains high carbon dioxide that will subsequently contribute towards global warming.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has reported the role of shipping activities on the release of carbon dioxide. The statistic shows that the shipping sector contributed 4%-5% of the total release of carbon resulting from human activities.

In addition, this sector is also responsible for 3% of the release of global green house gases and 9% of global release related to logistics sector. This has sparked concerns because the figure is expected to rise in line with the growth in world trade.

If no action is taken, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) predicts that carbon dioxide release will experience an increase between 50 and 250% in 2050.

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) has outlined the rules to prevent air pollution by ships under Annex VI. Malaysia has adopted and implemented Annex VI MARPOL to minimize pollution towards the oceans by commercial ships since 2010.

The enforcement of MARPOL was carried out under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, which has stipulated rules to control the limit of the release of nitrogen dioxide from diesel ships. Later in 2013, Annex VI MARPOL was improved through a new rule that outlines the need for more effective use of maritime energy.

The rules are enforced on commercial ships with gross weight of 400 tonnes and above. The aim of the rule is to reduce the release of carbon dioxide that pollutes the environment. As an IMO member country, Malaysia tries its best to handle the issue regarding carbon release from the shipping sector so as to reduce air pollution and climate change.

Malaysia has also targeted to reduce carbon dioxide release by 20% by 2020 and 50% by 2050. Therefore, the country’s shipping sector needs clean and environmentally friendly energy source. Renewable energy source is seen as having the potential to change the landscape of the country’s shipping sector.

Malaysia is fortunate because its geography, where it is surrounded by the oceans and big wind pattern due to sea and land breeze. Malaysia’s strategic position on the equator also contributes towards the production of energy to fulfil the country’s increasing energy demand.

On closer observation, the oceans have renewable energy sources that can become an alternative to fuel, such as the solar energy, waves, and winds. Therefore, the government and stakeholders need to consider the use of renewable energy in the shipping sector. In addition, renewable energy is the right choice in light of the fluctuating prices of fuel in the world market.

The use renewable energy represents an effort towards national transformation that seeks to conserve environmental sustainability. A reduction of carbon dioxide in the air is believed can prevent the phenomena of climate change and global warming due to continuous rise in atmospheric temperature.

To fulfil the aim, it is important for Malaysia to take proactive measures and produce renewable energy. This is to fulfil the demand of energy in the long term and subsequently achieve the aim of zero carbon.

As such, the main agenda is strategic planning on the development of renewable energy that will produce a brighter future for the shipping sector. It is important to invest in the production of energy through ocean waves and winds to increase energy production at sea.

The shift towards renewable energy is part of the measures by Malaysia to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which is to ensure that all parties have access to energy source that is modern, sustainable, obtainable, and used fully. Measures need to be taken to upgrade the current technology and create the infrastructure to provide clean and more effective energy supply so that SDG 7 can be met by 2030.

With renewable energy, at least the shipping sector does not have to rely fully on fuel, which is non-renewable. This helps ensure that Malaysia can continue to function as a hub in the global shipping chain.   

 

Prepared by:

Dr. Izyan Munirah Mohd Zaideen
Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Maritme Studies
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.

 

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu