Shipping Pollution

The shipping industry is responsible for a significant proportion of the global climate change problem. More than three percent of global carbon dioxide emissions can be attributed to ocean-going ships. This is an amount comparable to major carbon-emitting countries — and the industry continues to grow rapidly. In fact, if global shipping were a country, … Read more

The potential environmental impact of the Costa Concordia wreck

Amidst the heartbreaking news surrounding the deadly capsizing of the Costa Concordia cruise ship, another issue is beginning to emerge – that of the potential environmental impact the wreckage may have on the marine ecosystems. What is particularly concerning is that the ship capsized right next to the largest Italian National Park – an ecological … Read more

Oceana calls for effective policies to reduce CO2 shipping emissions

Measures proposed by Oceana can help reduce global warming and ocean sea acidification caused by carbon dioxide. Today at European Maritime Day, Oceana called for the implementation of effective policies to ensure the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from European fleets. The international marine conservation organization highlighted the critical importance of addressing the issue of … Read more

Learn more: Solutions

Solutions: Reduced Speed Overall, speed reductions are a quick, easy and effective way to achieve emissions reductions from ocean-going vessels. Given the recent increases in oil prices, speed reduction makes sense not only environmentally but also economically.  Emissions, especially those of carbon dioxide, are directly proportional to fuel consumption. Greater speeds require increased fuel consumption. … Read more

Shipping Pollution: What Oceana Does

Working with Earthjustice, Friends of the Earth and the Center for Biological Diversity, Oceana petitioned the EPA to regulate shipping emissions in October 2007. Unfortunately, since the EPA did not respond accordingly, in July 2008 Oceana, along with the coalition of environmental groups and attorneys general from various states, filed a letter warning the EPA … Read more