Branson´s War Against the Shipping Industry!
It was reported on December 6 in an article by SkyNews about Sir Richard Branson declaring a war against the shipping industry!
Through the independent venture, The Carbon War Room, he wants to see an efficiency rating on every ocean going vessel to help clean up the industry.
One of the weapons that Sir Branson are using is the recently opened site, the http://www.shippingefficiency.org, where they have cataloged and rated more 60 000 ships based on their efficiency index (developed by the IMO). The database serves to assist selection of the most environmental efficient transporter which to me seem like a very good initiative.
However, yesterday it was reported that the ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) strikes back saying that the index is not used in the right way and cannot be used for different ship classes. I published an article about that earlier today on shippipedia.
What surprises me is the fact that ICS is taking a defensive attitude rather welcoming the initiative. As matter of fact there are several companies in the industry supporting the Sir Branson´s initiative. I hope they open up for a cooperation!