Page 16 - IB AUG 2017

Shipping
Shipping can’t afford to slow steam on climate

This is the final of a 3-part series on sustainable sea transportation for the Pacific. We talk to the ex-
perts, turn to the past and explore ideas and designs for answers to the future of inter-island shipping,
the key to our trade and lifeline of island economies.

By Ilaitia Turagabeci

WHILE US President Donald Trump has his
head in sand on climate change, shipping
cannot afford the same luxury and must
act to cut back on greenhouse emissions.
More importantly for governments and
shipping companies in the Pacific, whose
livelihoods depend on the people they
serve, and whose lives depend on the ac- Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine meets the crew Bainimarama joins Kiribati President Taneti Maamau
and Tuvalu PM Enele Sopoaga on the drua.
of Okeanos Marshall before sailing on the vaka motu.
tions they take to address this very real
threat in the islands. This is where, advocates say govern- under the Paris Agreement - 20 per cent
The outcome of the International Mari- ments must implement policies and force by 2030. The new USP Centre, accord-
time Organization negotiations showed changes. Inspired by the Hokule’a’s ing to USP researcher on sustainable sea
why Pacific island governments must stay voyages (1976, Hawaii- Tahti and 2015 transportation Dr Peter Nuttal, will be the
focused on the issue of decarbonisation of around-the-world) and Pacific Voyagers catalyst for delivering on that target.
the shipping industry. in 2010, those skills are being revived by Dr Nuttal said the comitment of the
In the first two parts of this series, voyaging societies across the Pacific. Marshalls was exemplary for other island
Pacific-based experts showed how island Last month during the Climate Action states.
governments must adopt some lessons Pacific Partnership event in Suva, Fiji Prime Dr Nuttal, in his presentations to mari-
from our traditional past. Minister Voreqe Bainimarama joined Kiri- time authorities in Fiji and Vanuatu in the
Colin Philp, whose sail design powered bati President Taneti Maamau and Tuvalu past few years, stressed how wind power
the Na Mataisau, an inter-island ship in PM Enele Sopoaga for a kava session on a was most ideal as it had already proven
Fiji in the 1980s with a proven 30 per cent Fijian canoe, the drua, I Volasigavou, and succesful. He said since 2007, there has
fuel savings record, said island govern- proclaimed it as the answer to future travel. been an unprecedented search for energy
ments must seek changes at home while Two weeks later, Marshall Islands Presi- efficiency. “All sources agree that there are
waiting on the world to adjust. dent Hilda Heine welcomed the arrival of four basic categories of options -technol-
“Whilst it is sad to hear that the IMO Okeanos Marshall, a fossil-free cargo ca- ogy change operational change, alternative
has not had the determination to make noe donated by the Okeanos Foundation, fuels and renewable energy.
a serious commitment to reduce harmful which is training locals on how to operate “The global investment in low carbon
emissions, we in the Pacific must not wait the vaka motu. transport transition has lagged signifi-
for international conventions or policy The vaka is powered by wind, solar and cantly behind electricity decarbonistion
changes,” said Philp,now the president coconut oil-powered engines. And investment in low carbon maritime
of the Uto Ni Yalo Trust, which advocates Okeanos Marshall captain Peia Patai, a transition has lagged significantly behind
for a clean ocean and suatainable sea former Cooks Islands naval officer, said road, rail and even aviation.”
transportation.”Our governments need to the IMO’s lack of urgency to address em- The current status of the IMO is proof
insist on changes on international traffic missions was disappointing.“It just shows of this.
in our ocean and we need to start making how ignorant we are to the issue of climate Dr Nuttal said wind power was most
marine emission reduction commitments change. I am really disappointed but this ideal for cash-strapped island states.
in our own countries. will fuel us more to fight until we make a Some international companies have
“You can compare it to a tourist driv- change in trying to keep our ocean healthy started to harness wind enrgy to reduce
ing his rental through a quiet village on a for the benefit of our children of tomorrow. fuel consumption. Using large, dynami-
Sunday with the music blaring. The chief in It is the only way for us, for the future,” cally flying kites to tow the ship, they
the village is going to stand up and tell the Patai told Islands Business. have dramaically cut fuel usage by up to
visitor to turn his music down or get out.” The Marshall Islands has joined a part- 20 per cent.
Wind power nership with the University of the South Rotor ships
Retrofitting inter-island ships with sails Pacific and committed to taking a lead in Another option Dr Nuttal offered ship-
and adopting navigational skills used by the region, agreeing to host the Micronesia ping companies was one that was trialled
our ancestors is the most ideal way for Sustainable Transport Centre in Majuro, in Germany early last century.
islanders, Pacific-based experts believe. part of a plan to become the first low- In 1924, the Buckau,became the world’s
Shipping companies in the islands are carbon transport island nation. first rotor ship,
generally reluctant to make changes and Marshalls is the only Pacific country to BuIlt by engineer Anton Flettner, the
reduce their carbon footprint. set a transport emission reduction target ship was powered by spinning vertical ro-

16 Islands Business, August 2017