GL and NMRI explore environmental risk evaluation criteria

Tokyo / Hamburg, 28 June 2010 - The National Maritime Research Institute of Japan (NMRI) and Germanischer Lloyd (GL) signed a project cooperation agreement. Since both institutions are involved in analysing the environmental impact of shipping, they agreed on the development of environmental risk evaluation criteria with focus on Carbon Dioxide and Methane. The project will address the criteria development and sample applications. In addition, balancing safety and environmental requirements in risk assessments will be explored.

"With increasing emphasis on environmental protection today, balancing safety and environmental requirements becomes key to develop competitive shipping solutions," explains Dr Pierre C. Sames, Senior Vice President Strategic Research and Development, GL. Dr Koichi Yoshida, Director International Coordination Centre, NMRI, confirms: "Environmental risk evaluation criteria are essential to identify cost-effective technical and operational solutions for sustainable shipping. Teaming up with GL enables us to progress faster and to deliver advice to our flag state administrations for their deliberations at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)."