Drivers for Innovation and Development of Cleaner Technologies in Shipping
Translated title
A Study of ballast water treatment systems
Author
Ogungbemi, Toluwalope Benjamen
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2014
Submitted on
2014-02-17
Pages
69
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvad der fremmer og hvad der hæmmer indførelsen af renere teknologier i skibsfarten, med branchens størrelse, kompleksitet og mange aktører for øje. Som en fokuseret case anvendes ballastvand-behandlingssystemer (BWTS). BWTS er udstyr, der installeres om bord for at behandle ballastvand og dermed reducere miljøpåvirkningen fra ballastaktiviteter. I 2004 blev der vedtaget ballastvandsregulering, som fastsatte retningslinjer for udviklingen af BWTS og kræver, at både nye og eksisterende skibe installerer disse systemer. Med udgangspunkt i teorier om innovation og drivkræfter for renere teknologier undersøgte studiet fire typer drivkræfter: regulatorisk pres, markedstræk, virksomheders strategier og teknologiske drivere. Det identificerede også centrale barrierer: manglende universel lovgivning, høje omkostninger ved udvikling af udstyr, usikkerhed om systemernes effektivitet samt lav efterspørgsel fra rederier. De empiriske data blev indsamlet gennem dybde- og e-mailinterviews samt gennemgang af dokumenter og hjemmesider. Resultaterne viser, at BWTS bliver mere attraktive, når drivkræfter for økoinnovation – det vil sige incitamenter og rammer, der fremmer omkostningseffektive og miljøvenlige løsninger – prioriteres højere. Casen illustrerer, hvordan politik, markeder, virksomhedsvalg og teknologi påvirker, om renere teknologier udvikles og tages i brug i skibsfarten.
This thesis investigates what drives and what hinders the adoption of cleaner technologies in the shipping industry, acknowledging the sector’s size, complexity, and many actors. It uses ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) as a focused case. BWTS are equipment installed on ships to treat ballast water so the environmental impacts of ballast operations can be reduced. In 2004, a ballast water management regulation was adopted that set benchmarks for BWTS development and requires both new and existing vessels to install these systems. Guided by theories of innovation and drivers of cleaner technologies, the study examined four types of drivers: regulatory push, market pull, firm strategies, and technological drivers. It also identified key barriers: the lack of universal legislation, high costs of equipment development, uncertainty about system performance, and low demand from shipowners. Empirical data were gathered through in-depth and email interviews and through reviews of documents and websites. The findings indicate that BWTS become more attractive when eco-innovation drivers—that is, incentives and conditions that support cost-effective, environmentally friendly solutions—are given higher priority. The case shows how policy, markets, company choices, and technology interact to determine whether cleaner technologies are developed and adopted in shipping.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]