Protection of Marine Ecology
There are diverse ecological environments on Earth, creating a stable and close relationship between humans and ecosystems. With the increase in population and rapid global economic development, long-distance transportation and trade activities have become more frequent. Over 80% of global trade volume is transported by sea. Alien species and pathogens can be transported through ballast water or attached to the hull structure of ships, entering new environments beyond their natural dispersal range. This has resulted in negative impacts and disruptions to local ecosystems.
As a shipping company, Shih Wei Navigation considers safeguarding the marine ecology as a significant environmental issue. In 2022, we collaborated with the National Museum of Natural Science to organize an employee education and training session on the sustainable use of marine resources. During this event, our colleagues learned about the causes, impacts, and current status of marine fishery resource depletion. Through group competitions and activities, they also gained insights on how to choose sustainable seafood and translate awareness into environmental actions in their daily lives. Together, we strive to protect marine resources and promote the sustainability of the marine environment.
Commitment to Comply with International Regulations or Conventions for the Protection of Marine Environment
In 2022, the sailing-time of the Company’s fleet in Marine Protected Areas or Protected Areas totaled 477.208days.
To protect the North Atlantic right whales, we comply with the requirements of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States and lower the speed of ships to 10 knots or lower when sailing in the Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs).
The North Atlantic Right Whale is a type of right whales that is currently listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Although whaling has been banned, their survival is still at serious risk due to accidental vessel strikes or entanglement in fishing gear. In addition, climate change also causes them to leave the protected areas to hunt for food. According to scientists, there were only 336 North Atlantic right whales left in 2022.
The vessel speed is the major reason for the vessel strike with North Atlantic right whales. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued vessel speed restrictions requiring all vessels 65 feet or longer must travel at 10 knots or less in Seasonal Management Areas (SMAs) along the U.S. east coast at certain times of the year to reduce the threat of vessel collisions with endangered North Atlantic right whales.
NOAA also requires ships over 300GT to report to the shore base station when entering the major habitats of right whales, and the shore base station will provide information of right whales, such as the recent locations being spotted and precautions that can be taken to avoid colliding with whales.
In 2022, the number of times and volume of harmful substances leakage from the Company’s fleet was 0
Shih Wei Navigation operates in compliance with the following international laws and regulations, and is committed to the maintenance of ocean sustainability to do our part for the earth.
International Acts on Marine Environment Protection
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, MARPOL
- International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments, Ballast Water Management Convention
- International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships
- International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS
Local Regulations of Ports of Call in Different Countries
- IMO SOx Emission Control Areas
- US Vessel General Permit, VGP
- Marine Invasive Species Program, MISP
- EU Regulation No. 2015/757 on the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport, EU-MRV
Ballast Water Management
In consideration of the fact that protecting and maintaining biodiversity and sustainable development have become the universal values, IMO developed the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments in 2004 in the hope of preventing and controlling the harm caused by alien species through the management of ship ballast water.All our bulk cargo vessels have implemented Ballast Water Management, with the exception of passenger ships, which are not required to do so due to their specific characteristics.
Key performance (excluding passenger ships)
Percentage of ships that have implemented ballast water exchange: 5 58%
Percentage of ships that have implemented ballast water treatment:： 85%
Ballast water is pumped into ballast tanks from the sea to add weight when the ship unloads its cargo and pumped out when it is taking on cargo to balance the weight of the ship during a voyage. However, during transoceanic transportation and the ballast water discharge process, the water source containing viruses, bacteria, and non-indigenous species enters the waters of different countries through ballast water or ship hulls. Once invasive species spread, they are often difficult and costly to eradicate. Moreover, they may establish large breeding populations in new environments, posing threats to the survival environment of native species and impacting coastal ecosystems and industries worldwide.
To avoid the different degrees of environmental pollution and ecological impact in the ports of different countries caused by the propagation of alien species brought by the ship when the ballast water is exchanged or discharged in different waters, Shih Wei Navigation has formulated standard ballast water management methods in accordance with ballast water related regulations stipulated by IMO and MARPOL, and relevant certificate was also obtained to fulfill our corporate social responsibility and protect the marine environment.
IAFS certificate: Shih Wei Navigation’s fleet obtained the International Anti-fouling System (IAFS) Certificate issued by Classification Societies
Shih Wei Navigation entrusted the ClassNK based in Japan and Bureau Veritas based in France to test the types and compositions of ships in accordance with the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, 2001. It was confirmed that the ships are free of organic tin compounds, and the LAFS Certificate was obtained.
BWMC: Shih Wei Navigation’s fleet obtained the International Ballast Water Management Certificate (BWMC) issued by Flag State
According to the requirements stipulated in the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, ships must have the ballast water management plans, certificates, and record books. The vessels of our fleet have successively installed the ballast water treatment equipment and obtained authorization so as to work in line with the ballast water declaration and discharge regulations across the world to jointly maintain the marine ecology and environment.
IAFS Certificate
BWM Certificate