Glossary
A place in the ocean where ships can lower their anchors and stay a while.
The process of managing the water carried in ships' ballast tanks to ensure stability, while preventing the transfer of invasive species to new environments
The process of renting a vessel or space on a vessel to transport cargo, typically governed by a charter party agreement.
A process where ships turn off their engines while docked and rely on shore power to reduce emissions. [Source]
A measure of a ship's total carrying capacity, including cargo, fuel, passengers, and crew. [Source]
Specific areas where stricter emission standards for sulfur and nitrogen oxides apply to ships to reduce air pollution. [Source]
A metric used to assess the energy efficiency of a ship's operation in terms of CO₂ emissions per cargo transported per nautical mile. [Source]
the practice of enhancing fleet performance and fleet management quality throughout its entire life cycle — from financing to compliance, maintenance, driver supervision, and more. [Source]
A ship fleet management system is designed to monitor and manage a fleet of ships. Here is a general overview of how a ship fleet management system works: Overall, a ship fleet management system helps fleet managers to monitor and manage their vessels efficiently, optimize performance, and reduce costs. [Source]
Green corridors are specific shipping routes where innovative and sustainable practices are implemented to significantly reduce carbon emissions. These practices include the use of low-emission fuels, energy-efficient technologies, and collaboration between stakeholders such as shipping companies, port authorities, and governments. By focusing on these corridors, the maritime industry can create scalable and replicable solutions for global decarbonization. An example is the proposed green corridor between Los Angeles and Shanghai, which aims to adopt cleaner fuels and optimize shipping operations. [Source]
Hinterland connectivity refers to the infrastructure and logistics systems that link ports to inland regions, facilitating the movement of goods between ships and final destinations. Efficient connectivity ensures seamless intermodal transport, combining rail, road, and waterways to reduce congestion and environmental impacts. Poor hinterland connectivity can result in bottlenecks, increased costs, and delays, highlighting its critical role in the supply chain. Investing in sustainable hinterland solutions, like electrified rail networks, helps enhance efficiency and reduce emissions. [Source]
The IMO is the United Nations' specialized agency responsible for regulating international shipping. Its core objectives are ensuring maritime safety, protecting the marine environment, and improving security. One of its major achievements is the adoption of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which sets limits on sulphur emissions and promotes the use of cleaner fuels. The IMO has also set ambitious targets for reducing the carbon intensity of shipping by 40% by 2030 and total emissions by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels. [Source]
an organisational strategy in production and logistics. As the name implies, it means that material for production is delivered at the very moment and in the exact amount it is needed. In logistics, Just-in-Time means that a shipment arrives at the moment the recipient needs it. [Source]
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering is the process of refuelling ships with LNG, a cleaner alternative to traditional heavy fuel oils. LNG produces significantly lower sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter emissions, making it a preferred choice for meeting environmental regulations. The process involves specialized infrastructure, including storage tanks, bunkering vessels, and safety protocols. As ports invest in LNG bunkering facilities, the adoption of LNG-powered ships is expected to rise, aiding the transition to more sustainable maritime transport. [Source]
All information required by public authorities in connection with the arrival, stay and departure of ships, people and cargo will be submitted electronically, via a single platform. [Source]
An open-loop scrubber is a system installed on ships to remove sulphur oxides (SOx) from exhaust gases, enabling compliance with MARPOL Annex VI regulations. It works by spraying seawater into the exhaust stream, which absorbs the SOx and neutralizes it. The treated water is then discharged back into the sea. While open-loop scrubbers are cost-effective, they have sparked environmental concerns due to the discharge of wash water. Many ports, such as those in Singapore and China, have banned their use, encouraging the adoption of closed-loop or hybrid systems. [Source]
Particulate matter comes in different sizes and those smaller than 10 micrometers (PM10) are able to enter our lungs and cause serious health problems. Particulate matter has been linked with illnesses and deaths from heart or lung disease. The World Health Organization has collected enough scientific evidence to state that the most harmful exposure to particulate matter is long-term exposure to fine particles (PM2.5). [Source]
The process of realising reductions in environmental impact and improved safety and security management for shipping, terminals, and service providers. [Source]
An electronic platform which connects the multiple systems operated by a variety of organisations that make up a seaport, airport, or inland port community. It is shared in the sense that it is set up, organised, and used by firms in the same sector – in this case, a port community. [Source]
When the ship leaves the port of origin, it may halt at a port in between before reaching its final destination port. This halt port or intermediate stop is called the port of call. [Source]
Port State Control is the inspection of foreign ships in national ports to verify their compliance with international maritime safety, security, and environmental standards. PSC authorities check certificates, inspect equipment, and assess crew competence to ensure adherence to regulations like the SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and MARPOL conventions. Ships found non-compliant can be detained or fined, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high operational standards. [Source]
Cargo ships designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, buses, trailers, and railroad cars, that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels or using a platform vehicle, such as a self-propelled modular transporter. [Source]
The practice of ships sailing to their destination as fast as safety allows and then wait outside the port until they have a place to dock and unload their cargo. [Source]
The Ship Performance System collects operational data from all main power producers and consumers, providing the basis for the energy management of the vessel. These include the main propulsion shaft power, the electrical power production, boiler steam production, and fuel oil consumption. The Ship Performance System can be set up to transmit the collected data directly by e-mail to a web server for viewing ashore. [Source]
Slow steaming is a fuel-saving practice where ships operate at reduced speeds during their voyages. This reduces fuel consumption and emissions but requires careful planning to maintain delivery schedules. Slow steaming gained popularity during periods of high fuel prices and regulatory pressure to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Research shows that reducing speed by 10% can lead to fuel savings of 20-30%, highlighting its economic and environmental benefits. [Source]
Decarbonizing the maritime supply chain involves implementing measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all aspects of shipping, from fuel production to port operations. This includes adopting cleaner fuels, improving energy efficiency, and leveraging digital technologies like AI for route optimization. Decarbonization aligns with global climate targets and enhances the competitiveness of maritime businesses by meeting the growing demand for sustainable logistics. [Source]
A digital platform that helps track and manage all the supply chain operations at the cargo ports and terminals. TOSs help coordinate all the terminal logistics elements (including vessels, trucks, cranes, trains, and port staff), track cargo movement, optimize asset usage, and analyse data to support decision-making. [Source]
ULCVs are the largest type of container ships, capable of carrying over 20,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). These vessels are designed to maximize efficiency in transporting goods over long distances, particularly between major global trade hubs. While ULCVs offer economies of scale, their size requires ports with deep drafts, advanced infrastructure, and efficient handling systems. However, their environmental impact is significant, prompting the industry to explore low-carbon technologies to make ULCVs more sustainable. [Source]
ULSFO is a type of marine fuel with a sulphur content of 0.1% or less, meeting the requirements of Emission Control Areas (ECAs). It helps reduce sulphur oxide emissions, improving air quality and minimizing the shipping industry’s environmental footprint. ULSFO is a key part of the industry's compliance with the IMO 2020 sulphur cap regulation. [Source]
Underwater noise pollution refers to the disruptive sound waves generated by ships, offshore drilling, and other maritime activities. These sounds can interfere with the natural behavior and communication of marine life, such as whales and dolphins. Efforts to reduce underwater noise include optimizing propeller designs, adopting quieter machinery, and implementing speed reduction measures. Reducing noise pollution is a priority for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to protect marine ecosystems. [Source]
A numerical model designed for operational ship voyage planning. It is a freely accessible as open-source software developed at CMCC since 2012. Leveraging a graph-search methodology, VISIR incorporates dynamic meteo-oceanographic fields. Its versatility extends to navigating coastal and archipelagic regions. [Source]
