The Impact of Climate Change on Maritime Operations

The maritime industry is one of the major sectors worldwide. A World Bank article noted that maritime operations make up 80% of the total volume of all world trade.

Unfortunately, just like the other lucrative industries, the maritime industry doesn’t just deal with accommodating high service demands and constantly deals with different environmental concerns.

Maritime companies have shown a significant concern with promoting the safety and cleanliness of oceans by lessening their harsh effects on water pollution. Many of these companies, for example, use shipping containers and chemical-resistant bunds to control dangerous liquid spillage.

Alkali fluids and oils can significantly compromise the life of plants and animals in the ocean. Keeping them in specialized containers can dramatically help if the cargo goes overboard.

Although these practices are critical, there are also concerns regarding gas emissions, and addressing these is as important as caring for the ocean. With climate change worsening continuously every year, the alarming rate of carbon monoxide that ships emit is also increasing.

By the year 2050, it’s expected that the emissions of greenhouse gases from the maritime industry will make up 10% of the total emissions in the world. While shipping is considered the most efficient means of transport for energy use, it still uses vast quantities of refining by-products of crude oil that can be pretty damaging to the planet.

The maritime industry also significantly contributes to the worsening of climate change because of the black carbon emissions that result from maritime fuel combustion.

Having said all this, why should maritime companies join the battle against climate change in the first place? There are many reasons. However, the one that stands out from the economic perspective is that climate change poses a severe threat to the maritime industry.

Read on below to learn the impact of climate change on maritime operations, particularly their profitability and efficiency.

Additional Costs of Operations

Unplanned costs are necessary to repair or relocate facilities during a storm surge’s fallout. But the additional expenses don’t simply end there. Refrigeration prices may also increase, along with rising temperature levels.

In addition, harsh conditions, such as extended periods of severe weather, may result in less cost-effective shipping routes and prolonged travel. Extreme rainfall events can also delay other essential shipping tasks, including the unloading and loading of cargo and shipments once they reach the ports.

Reduced Demand and Need for Shipping Services

Growing crops has become a less sustainable and more challenging because of intensified heat and drought. A report even stated that the output of some natural produce such as corn, wheat, and soybean in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and other US states has significantly reduced.

Due to the smaller amount of goods to be transported, shipping companies will also experience reduced service demand. Ports may experience a plummeting amount of generated profits because of the drop in available businesses.

Higher Risk of Damage to Port Infrastructure

The rising sea levels also pose a threat to port infrastructure. Port infrastructure is located at sea level. It means that if the water seas drastically rise, it will submerge and eventually destroy the infrastructure. Although it’s important to note that rising sea levels are pretty slow and steady, its vicious nature is imminent.

Some ports didn’t show positive attitudes regarding their infrastructure’s security. Many of them shared that their plans are guided by a 10-year outlook, even if they build sturdy enough infrastructure that can last several decades.

To address this problem, changes in structural and building development practices are being made. However, as of this writing, the threat of destruction to port infrastructure cannot be eliminated.

Lower Productivity

Rising sea levels combined with flooding and storm surges are expected to be detrimental to safety even on land. The damages are also not limited to the port infrastructure alone. The inundation that storm surges and floods cause will also significantly impact most port facility operations.

Laborers, in particular, will be hindered from doing their jobs to make room for downtime, which can result in potential loss of income. Aside from this, the delays and higher costs of restoration, repair, or even relocation of certain facilities may also impact profitability.

More Possibilities of Re-routing

Due to the continuous melting of ice around the North Pole due to global warming, patterns of sedimentation are also changing, coastal erosion is getting worse than before, and sea levels are significantly rising. All of these dramatic changes have a severe impact on ship channels.

Since the current routes are more challenging and safe to pass through than they used to be, planning new ways and courses is critical. Changes in routine can deter productivity and can become highly inconvenient not just for the shipping lines but also for their customers.

Maritime companies must set aside financial and time resources to plan these routes rather than continue their usual operations.

Meanwhile, the increased transit time will impact the customer’s deliveries.

Why Maritime Operations Should Help in the Battle Against Climate Change

Climate change has been causing ravaging effects on different aspects of human life. Maritime operations are not exempted from significant economic and technical consequences.

Thus, it makes sense to clamor for the involvement of more port administrators worldwide in fighting against climate change and its adverse effects. Through proper preparation, risks can be mitigated, and threats can be made less severe.