1.3 Safety and Environmental Conservation
Safety and environment are the subjects that never comes to the end. Especially we must care not to leave negative assets to the coming generation. Safety seems fairly built in to cost structure already by the form of rule and regulations, but very little bearing on insurance premium. On the other hand almost no reflection is made in respect of environment.
1.3.1 Looking at the history of international maritime regulations, as an example, SOLAS and MARPOL have a history of frequent change.(Refer to Fig.5)
1) Big accident of oil spilling occurred every ten years, followed by hysteric regulation changes. Of course we have to accept improvement which is found necessary. But why historically so hysteric? A cause can be found on lack of;
2) Long range and broad view initiative on regulation improvement (future target). Every time some improvement is discussed, people disapproves because of economy. It had better be discussed on what is ideal overall, looking ten years beyond. Ten years is not at all long future in the field of shipping.
3) Grandfather clause applied for existing ships also discourage people to accept improved criteria because it spoils competitiveness of new ships built under improved regulations. It had better limit effectiveness of grand father clause for instance for five years, and let marine industry introduce long term employment contract which includes article of rule change impact review.
1.3.2 Environmental issue other than oil spill is rather a newcomer, which requires enhanced treatment, as technology and as system.
1) In majority of cases economy/safety/environment are trade-off items. But one may be able to find some areas where these three items can co-exist.(Refer to Fig.6) An example is the sea state monitoring and data base which will contribute to safer operations, less design margin and less emission by finding optimum operation point. Such field should be promoted without hesitation.(Refer to Fig.7)
2) For those trade-off items, introduction of price aspect to environmental resources should be made. Safety requirements are fairly priced already in the form of rules and regulations, thus those are countable in the cost item. But for environmental issue, oil spill is priced in the form of CRISTAL
