Ballast water treatment Research Papers (original) (raw)

1
CREATING SHARED VALUE WITH ECO-EFFICIENT AND
GREEN CHEMICAL SYSTEMS IN SHIP OPERATIONS
AND IN BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT
Konstantinos Aravossis1 and Yanna Pavlopoulou1,*
1 2 National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) , School of Mechanical Engineering, Sector of Industrial Management and Operations Research,
Enviromental Economics and Sustainability Unit, 9, Iroon Polytehniou Street, 15780 Zografou, Athens, Greece
Presented at the 3rd International Symposium on Green Chemistry for
Environment, Health and Development, October 3-5, 2012, Skiathos island, Greece
ABSTRACT
Green systems in ship operations and in ballast water
management are needed to enhance marine sustainability.
There is a challenging debate between regulators and the
shipping business over the pragmatism of forthcoming environmental
legislation. This is an overview study of arguments
over the sustainability transition to actual „shared
value‟ growth of global stakeholders. Re-ballasting in the
high seas currently provides the best-available measure to
reduce transfer risk of harmful aquatic organisms, but is
subject to serious ship-safety and other practical and financial
concerns. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
strategy could assist the shipping sector in tackling operational
issues, re-conceiving innovative methods, despite
global financial crisis. According to European Commission‟
s renewed strategy on Corporate Social Responsibility
for 2011-2014, enterprises should integrate social, environmental,
ethical and consumer concerns into their business
operations, shifting focus from “values” to “value”
(from a morals-driven to a business-driven approach). At
a global scale the issue at stake is how to maximize the
creation of shared value (CSV) for the marine business,
stakeholders and society at large. In times of serious downturn,
shipping may endorse shared value solutions, linking
eco-efficiency in ship treatment operations (e.g. discharges
of wastewater and ballast water), with strategic social partnerships.
Aligned to its economic and environmental objectives,
the industry may support scientific research and
development of alternative treatment systems that serve
local communities & emerging societal needs e.g. water
shortage. The shipping community could proactively lead
social progress, beyond regulatory and administrative
global efforts, as a collective effective response to global
sustainable growth.