The awareness and perception of ship-owner toward green vessel technology

Abstract

Almost 90% of the world trade is carried by ship and estimated annually some 86,000 ships move around 9 billions ton of cargo globally. Ship is responsible for 18%-30% nitrogen oxide (NOx) global pollution and 9% sulphur oxide (SOx) of the world pollution. Ship is the least contributing on World annual COx emission pollution which is estimated 2%-5. In recognition of the ecological responsibility rested in the maritime industry, a few maritime companies, including market leader has initiated Green Vessel Technology with the primary objective of developing and demonstrating green technologies within shipping and shipbuilding. However, Ship-owner is the player in the market that determines the successful of the green vessel technology. The problem is how far the acceptance of this technology by the ship owner and what are the level of awareness and perception of the ship-owner toward Green Vessel Technology. The objective of this research is to study the green vessel technologies in the maritime industry and whether it is having good response from the ship-owner or not. Besides that, the objective of the research is to study the awareness and the perception of the ship-owner toward the Green Vessel Technology that already launce in the market. This research was used the questionnaire method, which was sent via email through ServeyMonkey webserver and there have twelve respondents which are among the Malaysian local Ship-owners that their business base is in Peninsular Malaysia. Unfortunately, only four companies were successful contacted and willing to cooperate with this research. As a result, for awareness level question, ship-owners managed to collect a score of 75% and with that it is proved that they are aware for the green issue, green technology and green legislation knowledge. For perception, researcher can conclude that ship-owners are believed that the Green Vessel Technology is effectively in reducing the gas emission and also will give them advantage in the business in term of cost operation reduction. Only the cost is the main barrier for them to implement the Technology. There have a few limitations that restrict the application of the research findings. The time allotted to complete this research is for a year. With limited time, it becomes a difficulty in obtaining more accurate data. Researcher had to use email to save time and using this method is less entertained by some respondents. However, this study has successfully completed and the research result can be applied to improve the level of development of Green Vessel Technology especially in Malaysia region.