How to achieve the big “0” in decarbonising shipping is currently the main focus topic. Unfortunately, the small solutions are sometimes lost from focus. But they are often quite simple to implement and can quickly lead to a positive impact. The IMPA SAVE Pledge is one such initiative that aims to reduce and, if possible, stop the supply of plastic bottled water to our ships, and for which BSM wants to attract more owners as supporters.
Published on 17 Oct 2023
“We already did it,” Martin Mac Mahon, BSM’s Environmental Compliance Manager, says. “Why can’t we do it again?” Mac Mahon is referring to the “good old days” when there were no single-use plastic bottles aboard ships. He himself served as a Navigating Officer in the 1990s and speaks from experience. The big plastic bottle wave didn’t build until the 2000s. The Environmental Compliance Manager is not a backward-looking person, but in this case, he would like to turn back time.
Mac Mahon and his colleagues are convinced that switching to water filtration systems is a quick and easy way to rid ourselves of plastic-bottled water from aboard ships. The necessary investments are manageable. The actual cost ROI can even be rewarding. “A water filtration dispenser costs about USD 1,000, and you need about four units on board, depending on the size of the ship and crew,” calculates Mac Mahon. “Considering that an average of USD 5,000 to 8,000 is spent annually per ship on plastic-bottled water, the payback period is less than one year.” In addition, the water filtration systems are much more efficient these days compared to those of old. “We save time ordering, recycling and storing the water bottles and money on land-based rubbish disposal.”
Some owner clients of BSM are convinced and have already taken this path, such as tanker operator Frontline. “As people who make a living from the oceans, we should lead by example and reduce our plastics consumption. Frontline is committed to reducing plastics and has implemented drinking water filtration systems,” says Dr Linda Sørensen, Head of HSEQ & Human Factors at Frontline. “Using drinking water filtration systems allows us to remove bottled water onboard and ashore and is an important step we can all take. It may seem insignificant, but honestly it is not. Please join Frontline and BSM’s commitment to reducing the use of plastic bottles.”
Mac Mahon: “More and more shipowners are paying attention to this issue and changing their minds. This has already generated significant plastic bottle savings in our managed fleet.”
But Martin Mac Mahon does not just have to persuade shipowners of the benefits and success of the IMPA SAVE Pledge. “Many seafarers distrust the water from the tap,” says the Environmental Compliance Manager. There is no reason for that, because the modern filter units are of course equipped with professional cleaning systems. But in particular seafarers from countries where access to clean water is difficult and tap water is often contaminated with germs prefer to use plastic bottles. They know that from home, why should they do differently on board? “We have to do a lot of convincing and carefully tackle the crew culture to be able to implement such changes on board. BSM has increased the frequency of independent shore laboratory testing of freshwater samples. Over time, we hope to gain further trust from our crews. As always, health and safety come first. So, testing is a key component to turning the tide on plastic-bottled water.”
The crews on ships where water dispensers are already being used give positive feedback at least. “Since the installation of the filtration unit, almost all of the crew have already enjoyed drinking water from it. The quantity of plastic-bottled water used has been dramatically reduced and so has the accumulation of plastic waste,” was the feedback of one master. Another one highlighted that the water passes six different filters and is of very good quality, perhaps even better than in plastic bottles.
The IMPA SAVE Pledge may be a small step on the long journey to a sustainable future. But as the saying goes, “Big goals are achieved by taking many small steps”. BSM and Martin Mac Mahon welcome any company wishing to join this initiative. It’s all hands on deck.
In 2020, the IMPA SAVE Pledge was launched by the International Marine Purchasing Association (IMPA) and a strong group of global shipowners and maritime suppliers to commit to reducing the use of plastic drinking water bottles on board by 2025. Today, more than 40 companies are signed up to the pledge. Close to 9,000 ships committed to reduce the number of plastic water bottles brought on board, which equates to 200 million bottles a year. That is enough to reach the moon – seven rows of plastic bottles all the way. By bringing members from the industry together, the initiative aims to create opportunities to share knowledge on better, more sustainable practices and alternatives.
Martin Mac Mahon
BSM’s Environmental Compliance Manager
ContactMartin Mac Mahon
BSM’s Environmental Compliance Manager
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