The Environmental Implications of Container Shipping on the Freight Forwarding Industry
As the world witnesses a rapid growth in global trade, the demand for ocean freight forwarding has been booming and is likely to increase over the forthcoming years.
The environmental repercussions of this increase need to be addresses amid growing concerns over global warming.
Compared to other means of transport, container shipping is the most energy-efficient way to transport goods over long distances.
Operating a ship does not require much energy compared to flying an airplane and the large capacity of modern ships facilitates efficient cargo transport.
For example, one pair of shoes travelling over 18,600km as part of a container load of goods from Hong Kong to Rotterdam would use approximately 100g of CO2, whereas the same shoes travelling 20km in a local car journey would use approximately 1800g of CO2.
Research suggests that shipping is still a key contributor to CO2 emissions with over 27% of the total CO2 emissions in the United States accountable to freight forwarding.
Whilst freight forwarding by air is proven to be responsible for more CO2 emissions than anything else, no mode of transport is without its own problems.
The new container ships of today can be over 350m long, 45m wide and 25m deep.
The size of these ships forces ports to expand their docksides and deepen shipping channels.
The dredging of these channels can result in the destruction of the habitat that lives and feeds on it.
Such decisions are often made based on their economic benefits.
For example, each ship that docks in the Port of Southampton, United Kingdom brings an average of £1.
5 million pounds to the local economy.
Although freight forwarding cannot become a completely green industry, there are several improvements that can be made to make it more carbon friendly.
Improving logistics operations, ensuring that ships are full, don't run duplicate routes and cut down on 'under-capacity' mileage helps improve the productivity of freight forwarding.
Consolidating cargo locally before shipping worldwide is another possibility.
This reduces the number of journeys smaller consignments of cargo would have to make.
Whilst no options provide a complete solution to the environmental impact of freight forwarding, they offer the industry win-win improvements they can make to help reduce pollution and increase prosperity.
Ultimately, the freight forwarding industry must take a closer look at all areas of its business from mode of transport chosen and the route taken to ensure a greener approach is achieved.
The environmental repercussions of this increase need to be addresses amid growing concerns over global warming.
Compared to other means of transport, container shipping is the most energy-efficient way to transport goods over long distances.
Operating a ship does not require much energy compared to flying an airplane and the large capacity of modern ships facilitates efficient cargo transport.
For example, one pair of shoes travelling over 18,600km as part of a container load of goods from Hong Kong to Rotterdam would use approximately 100g of CO2, whereas the same shoes travelling 20km in a local car journey would use approximately 1800g of CO2.
Research suggests that shipping is still a key contributor to CO2 emissions with over 27% of the total CO2 emissions in the United States accountable to freight forwarding.
Whilst freight forwarding by air is proven to be responsible for more CO2 emissions than anything else, no mode of transport is without its own problems.
The new container ships of today can be over 350m long, 45m wide and 25m deep.
The size of these ships forces ports to expand their docksides and deepen shipping channels.
The dredging of these channels can result in the destruction of the habitat that lives and feeds on it.
Such decisions are often made based on their economic benefits.
For example, each ship that docks in the Port of Southampton, United Kingdom brings an average of £1.
5 million pounds to the local economy.
Although freight forwarding cannot become a completely green industry, there are several improvements that can be made to make it more carbon friendly.
Improving logistics operations, ensuring that ships are full, don't run duplicate routes and cut down on 'under-capacity' mileage helps improve the productivity of freight forwarding.
Consolidating cargo locally before shipping worldwide is another possibility.
This reduces the number of journeys smaller consignments of cargo would have to make.
Whilst no options provide a complete solution to the environmental impact of freight forwarding, they offer the industry win-win improvements they can make to help reduce pollution and increase prosperity.
Ultimately, the freight forwarding industry must take a closer look at all areas of its business from mode of transport chosen and the route taken to ensure a greener approach is achieved.
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