Are Greek Tanker Operators Aware of IMO’s Sustainable Maritime Transportation System and Willing to Follow Its Goals and Actions?

This paper discusses the subject of maritime transport sustainability. Motivated by the IMO document on a Sustainable Maritime Transportation System (SMTS) that has been launched on September 26, 2013. It aims to identify the awareness of shipping (with particular focus on oil tanker operators located in Greece) with regard to the sustainability incorporation into everyday practice. In particular, the perception of oil tanker operators in Greece is explored as regard the willingness to implement sustainable goals and acts. Tanker operators’ views are recorded with respect to the advantages, disadvantages that may be faced in the possible implementation of the sustainability concept proposed by IMO. In recent years, international shipping has made substantial efforts to include concepts of sustainability in the normal operation of ships. Hence, there is evidence that the environmental performance of ships is enhanced (e.g., with new regulations for air emissions). However, the industry seems to focus more in energy efficiency practices and particularly in solutions that have immediate refund On the other hand, consumers of goods that are transported all over the world tend to become more sensitive to the environmental and social impacts of products they buy and/or use. Many big charterers’ firms are adopting sustainability practices for goods that are not to be carried onboard-substandard ships. As far as the demand side becomes more sensitive in terms of sustainability, the interest will be passed on to all stakeholders of maritime transportation.