Key takeaways from our Presidential Lecture

Last month, our new president, Professor Stephen de Mora, delivered his inaugural lecture, offering a fascinating overview of the environmental impact of ships. Our technical and policy assistant, Caroline Allison, shares her key takeaways. 

Professor Stephen de Mora, an eminent marine scientist, gave his first presidential lecture during IMarEST Week in March. The week includes our AGM, Council Meetings, and our prestigious Annual Dinner.  

During his lecture, Professor de Mora discussed the environmental impact of ships, focusing on three main types of pollution: oil pollution, air pollution, and invasive species from ballast water. 

One of our new president’s first points was that oil spills from ships, while high-profile, are not as significant as spills from other sectors. He acknowledged the major impact of tanker incidents over the years and stated that the industry must do all it can to reduce the risks. However, he also emphasised that the real focus should be on other sources of pollution. 

Discussing air pollution, Professor de Mora highlighted the regulation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). He pointed to measurements from the English Channel, which showed a reduction in pollution following the introduction of these regulations. 

However, the biggest air pollution concern for Professor de Mora is carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The shipping industry accounts for just under 3% of global emissions. While the industry has traditionally been seen as a carbon-efficient means of transporting goods, he argued that it has not done enough to address its emissions. Given the urgency of the climate crisis, he stressed that the sector must act more quickly and decisively. 

Pollution from ballast water was another significant topic discussed by Professor de Mora. He outlined how invasive species, which have been recorded for over a century, have caused problems such as the global spread of cholera. Fortunately, treatment systems are now in place, which are helping to mitigate the impact of biological emissions, but the risk is still very high. 

Professor de Mora also addressed the effects of ship movement, such as the wash from propellers and collisions with marine mammals. He noted that anchors can cause damage to the seabed, including harm to coral reefs, and noise pollution from ships can stress marine ecosystems. 

The lecture concluded with an overview of the regulations designed to address these issues. Professor de Mora discussed how these regulations strive to balance environmental, social, and economic concerns, aiming to create a fair playing field for all stakeholders. 

So, what can IMarEST members do to help? Professor de Mora’s message was clear: get involved by joining one of our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and make a difference. SIGs are cross-industry collaborations that share knowledge and engage with the IMO to influence policy and regulation. 

Join a Special Interest Group.