Practical proposals to improve the environmental footprint of shipping were presented by Dr George Pateras, speaking in the auditorium of the University of the Aegean in Chios. The President of the Navy Chamber of Greece, on a night in which he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Department of Navigation and Business Services at the University of the Aegean, referred to the great issue of climate crisis and presented a series of proposals.
According to Mr. Patera, “we can achieve:
- Improving engine performance
- Improved hull shapes
- Low friction paints
- Practical solutions – Turn off electrical appliances at night – do not leave the red “stand-by” light on.
We need to “cold iron” ports, but port power must be greener than steam power supply. For this to work, energy from the coast must be at least 60% from renewable sources, due to energy losses due to the long distance between supply and use. Otherwise, we will just be transferring CO2 emissions to someone else, like we do with electric cars,” he noted.
As he highlighted, “at a corporate level, at (shipping company) Contships, we applied many of the above methods and saw a reduction in our emissions”.
At an institutional level, he added, «we are leading a project to renew the coastal fleet. Electric motors with standard energy management system, where the energy source is interchangeable. according to the latest technology. All this until we reach nuclear energy.”
The announcement
The President of the Hellenic Maritime Chamber, George Pateras, received an honorary doctorate from the Rector of the University of the Aegean, Professor Dimitris Papageorgiou, the Dean of the School of Management Sciences, Professor Maria Lekakou, and the President of the Department of Maritime and Business Services, Professor Seraphim Boar.
Mr. Pateras, an influential figure in shipping, delved into issues of reducing the environmental footprint of shipping, being a mechanical engineer himself.
As he characteristically said, “the Aegean and the Mediterranean are our home and we cannot allow ourselves to make an environmental mistake again. The climate crisis is at a critical moment and at this moment science and not political discourse must prevail.
All these excessive environmental regulations will cause a change in the way transportation is done, with bad results. Do not create environmental regulations that empty our islands. On the contrary, we must protect our islands with less than 200 thousand inhabitants and give them time to adapt”, he highlighted and continued:
“There are many studies on the benefits of sulfur in the atmosphere, but we systematically remove sulfur from exhaust gases. Ocean temperatures are rising faster than ever, which, combined with the El Niño phenomenon, is causing extreme weather events. We must all be “on board” not just in words but also in actions. Don’t fly in your private jet to lecture us about saving the environment.”
The new fuels
He recommended that we be careful about what we hear about new fuels. As he highlighted:
- LNG is generally made up of 78% CH4 methane – the deadliest of greenhouse gases.
- The production of methanol (even green methanol) is a major producer of CO2.
- Ammonia is deadly. Imagine a ship with 2,000 tons of ammonia running aground in the Aegean. We are all dead.
- Hydrogen looks good because it contains no carbon, but hydrogenation extends the life of methane, CH4 in the stratosphere.
Choosing either of these fuels will require massive new infrastructure, creating another huge carbon footprint, like the switch to unleaded gasoline.”
The thought
The reasons why the University of the Aegean decided to grant Mr. Patera an honorary doctorate were analyzed by the chairman of the Department of Navigation and Business Services, Mr. Patera.
“Dr. Pateras is an influential personality from a scientific and administrative point of view in global and Greek-owned shipping. He realized very early on the importance of the safety and environmental dimension of shipping, as well as the need for “decarbonization” and the transition to “green” energy and technological alternatives.
In the context of his participation in senior positions in international organizations, he developed pioneering initiatives and actions. He coordinated and supervised important scientific studies on behalf of the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to its contribution to commercial navigation, its initiatives with scientific studies and implementation actions to improve the country’s coastal navigation network and the renewal of the coastal navigation fleet, which is a prerequisite for interconnectivity and sustainable development of island Greece, are also worth noting.
With his experience, Dr. Pateras systematically supports university studies in navigation as well as maritime education. His contribution in particular to the development of activities and study programs of the Department of Navigation and Business Services at the University of the Aegean is notable.”
Outlining the personality of Giorgos Pateras, he stated: “In his capacity as president of the NEE, he acts as a link between the business world of shipping and the State, as this is one of the Chamber’s institutional missions. His thinking is strategic. His suggestions go far beyond a narrow, short-term understanding of a sector’s economic interests and extend to the sustainability and viability of society as a whole, to people’s well-being.
Supports education in several ways:
Nautical, maritime and in general, encourages all positive initiatives for the education and promotion of maritime and maritime professions.
He is a LEADER. He inspires and encourages his partners, people in the wider environment, to undertake initiatives that he supports.
He is generous and selfless.
He responds and is everywhere he needs to be to represent the institution and contribute to the promotion and sustainability of maritime transport.
“Each as appointed.”