G7: Macron wants to slow down ships to preserve the climate
From our special correspondent in Biarritz
During his speech on Saturday in Biarritz, with his back to the azure ocean, to present the challenges of the G7 summit, Emmanuel Macron was able to surprise by announcing a measure to fight against climate change: to slow down merchant ships. “We are solemnly going to engage with maritime carriers to reduce speed, which is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions” of greenhouse gases. "It's the first time we've done it, and it's a real change."
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The container ships through which 90% of world trade pass represent less than 3% of greenhouse gas emissions. But projections indicate that in 2050, it could contribute up to 20%. Emmanuel Macron did not take his announcement out of his hat. Since the spring of 2018, the 173 member countries of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have been working to reduce their polluting emissions. The IMO is committed to reducing its carbon emissions per tonne of goods transported by 40% by 2030, and by 50% by 2050.
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The French president no doubt wanted to increase the pressure on his counterparts and international companies.
One of the easiest ways to reduce the pollution emitted by ships is to slow them down. France wants binding regulations in this area. For their part, nine French shipowners including the giant CMA CGM have signed a charter, SAILS (Sustainable Actions for Innovative and Low Impact Shipping) which refers to the reduction of speed. “Slow steaming” (reduction of the speed of boats) has been in place at CMA CGM for ten years, indicates a spokesperson for the company. Container ships reduce their speed by 15% to 23%, which generates substantial fuel savings. According to the regional newspaper Le Télégramme, which quotes a figure from the Ministry of Ecological Transition, an oil tanker that lowers its speed from 12 knots (22 km/h) to 11 knots would reduce its consumption by 18%.
Emmanuel Macron wants the SAILS charter to be adopted by international shipping companies. The world leader Maerk, for example, is currently testing a container ship powered by biofuel. CMA CGM also announced, just before the G7, that its ships would not take the “northern route” in order to protect the Arctic Ocean.
By making his announcement in his address to the French on Saturday, the French president no doubt wanted to increase the pressure on his counterparts and international companies, so that they really commit themselves, and show that a G7 could lead to measures concrete. And it does not matter if they may seem anecdotal in view of the Iranian crisis or the trade war.
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