Gearbulk ESGreport 2024 Paperturn - Flipbook - Page 34
GEARBULK
BIODIVERSITY
PROGRESS AND
PERFORMANCE
Our commitment to environmental sustainability and the protection of
marine ecosystems is evident through the proactive measures we have
implemented to safeguard biodiversity. By integrating responsible practices across our operations, we aim to minimise our impact on marine life,
contribute to conservation e昀昀orts, and ensure that future generations can
bene昀椀t from healthy, thriving ecosystems.
BALLAST WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM
(BWTS)
PROPELLER AND HULL CLEANING (PC) (HC)
Propellor cleaning is another important action Gearbulk takes to
The purpose of the Ballast Water Convention (BWMC) is to
protect the ocean and is done on a regular basis for all our vessels.
prevent the spread of invasive species during vessel oper-
Over time, marine growth occurs on the propeller which can neg-
ation. The BWMC requires all vessels to treat ballast water,
atively impact the e昀케ciency and performance of the propulsion
ensuring the requirements in the D2 discharge standard of
system on a vessel. Reduced e昀케ciency results with increased fuel
the BWMC are met during discharge.
consumption, thus a lower fuel e昀케ciency for the ship.
At the end of 2023, Gearbulk ful昀椀lled its commitment to
Gearbulk, along with our Joint Venture G2 Ocean, places a signi昀椀cant
honouring this convention and all Gearbulk vessels are
emphasis on optimising hull performance across our 昀氀eet. Continu-
昀椀tted with the technology to comply with the D2 discharge
ous monitoring allows us to promptly identify any decline in perfor-
standard.
mance, prompting necessary hull cleaning when needed. Moreover,
we diligently adhere to regulations governing hull cleaning for
vessels entering Australian waters, underscoring our commitment
ANTI FOULING (AF)
to environmental responsibility and maritime compliance.
Anti fouling applied to vessel hulls will protect the environment by preventing the growth of marine organisms on
ROUTE PLANNING AND NAVIGATION
the hull, thereby limiting the spread of invasive species.
Minimal growth will also reduce the added resistance while
Gearbulk follows strict rules in compliance with the IMO regulations.
sailing, thus ensuring a higher fuel e昀케ciency and resulting
Trades in marine protected areas do occur from time to time, and
in lower GHG emissions.
information on days spent in these areas is currently being developed for future reporting.
Gearbulk continues to have high focus on good hull performance across our managed vessels. We are committed
to continuing our strategy of using High Range Anti Fouling
to further reduce the spread of invasive species and to
further reduce our total emissions.
34
PART 2 – ENVIRONMENT
