The Environmental Impact, The global shipping business holds an important place in the world economy. Global business relies on the shipping industry and the flow of goods and services across major economies is the way many countries are surviving through major crises and disasters.     

This blog will walk you through the effects of shipping on the environment and ways to minimise those effects.      

Impact of Global Shipping On The Environment

1. Air pollution – The Environmental Impact

Commercial ships run on fuel, which makes them pollute the air in several ways.          

Carbon dioxide emissions badly affect the seas, making them more acidic. This threatens the marine habitat that makes shells and coral reefs.

Nitrogen oxide is a pollutant that affects ozone and pollutes air. With the number of emissions in mind, the shipping industry is taking initiatives to reduce its severe environmental impacts.     

2. Noise pollution

Over time, global shipping has increased the amount of noise pollution it causes, affecting marine ecosystems badly.

  3. Vessel Discharges 

Studies show that about 10–15% of all the oil that goes into the ocean every year comes from big oil spills that happen by chance. 

Ships dump bilge water, black water, dirty water, and other types of water.

These spills can lower the quality of the water, impact marine life, and put the public’s health at risk.

4. Port Congestion 

Port congestion is a big problem for many ports around the world. . Many container ships have to wait a long time, sometimes up to two weeks, to dock at port.    

Commercial Vessel Discharge Standards are what shippers are supposed to follow. If ports and shippers could keep track of boats and know the exact expected time of arrival (ETA) for ships, they could better deal with the factors causing port congestion.   

Ways to Make Shipping Sustainable – The Environmental Impact

Use Recycled Boxes

Recycled shipping boxes and envelopes are plentiful today. NimbusPost is a company that seeks to work with delivery services that offer a premium on eco-friendly packaging. FedEx is one such global shipping company in India that employs recycled shipping boxes and envelopes. 

Void fill bags and green wrap-ready roll joined biodegradable starch-based packing peanuts as green packing options.

Select Shipping Box Sizes – The Environmental Impact

Oversized boxes lose space, weigh more, and cost more. Extra cardboard and packing material are wasteful and unsustainable. Naturally, you’ll need to weigh the cost against the environmental impact and consider raising prices if you use sustainable materials, as customers may be willing to pay more.           

Switching to alternative green fuels

Green fuels are a great alternative to conventional, pollution-causing fuels which can be used in the shipping industry to reduce harmful emissions. The maritime sector seeks to reduce emissions of gases that cause climate change and air pollutants that are known to be harmful to human health by moving from conventional marine fuels to greener substitutes and by increasing energy efficiency. 

Among the energy sources the shipping industry considers shipping industry for use in ship propulsion are liquefied natural gas, methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia. 

Conclusion 

If you are thinking about reducing your carbon footprint, now is the time to make a move. You will be doing good for the planet, and it may even boost your bottom line.