RORO returns with environmental focus
A number of challenges lie in front of the ro-ro industry, but how well equipped are businesses to cope with the European Commission’s new environmental regulations?
That’s just one of the areas that will be discussed at this year’s RORO event, which is being held in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 22 through 24 May.
The European Commission’s (EC) announcement that operators will be forced to cut shipping fuel sulphur content on short sea routes in northern European waters to 0.1% from 2015, has received mixed reaction from some of the biggest ro-ro providers.
The debate as to whether it’s a positive or negative move is likely to go on for some time, with some seeing it as a threat that will lower competitiveness against other modes, whilst others see the positives in terms of the environmental benefits. However, one thing is clear, it is unlikely that the EC will backtrack on the proposals that it passed last year.
Over the coming years, ro-ro operators across Europe will have to embrace new, innovative ways of working in order to meet the EC’s environmental regulations. Shipping lines will be looking at innovative ways of reducing sulphur emissions and fuel consumption, whilst other stakeholders will be examining their own operations. This is why this year’s RORO event could not come at a better time.
Sophie Ahmed, event rirector of RORO said, “There is plenty of scope for innovation and originality in the ro-ro industry and these are the exact issues and topics we will be focusing on at RORO this year.”
For further information about RORO, visit www.roroex.com.
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