Technology development for environmentally sound ships of the 21st century: an international perspective

Around the world, ships operating in the 21st century tury will be expected tomeet increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Many governments have comprehensive shipboard pollution abatement programs under way that will enable ships of the 21st century to be environmentally sound. The goal is for ships to operate worldwide with minimal potential for regulatory constraints, without inappropriate dependence on shore facilities, and without unreasonable costs imposed by environmental regulations. The following is the basic strategy: Design and operate ships to minimize emissions and waste generation while optimizing waste management, and develop shipboard systems that will destroy or appropriately treat the wastes generated on board. If wastes are unavoidable and cannot be destroyed or retained on board for recycling ashore, they must be sufficiently treated so that overboard discharges are considered environmentally insignificant. Although the ultimate solution for onboard destruction has not been achieved for any shipboard waste stream, considerable progress has been made toward developing onboard capabilities for treating or rrocessing solid wastes, oily wastes, hazardous materials, and medical wastes. Satisfactory interim or long-term solutions are being sought for blackwater and graywater treatment. International cooperative efforts directed toward achieving environmentally sound ships are under way among governments to share information and technologies, and to save time and money. Presented at the International Conference on Technologies for Marine Environment Preservation (MARIENV '95), Tokyo, Japan, September 24–29, 1995.