Glossary

Anti-fouling paints
Used to treat the underwater hull of a vessel to prevent fouling, which reduces vessel speed and increases fuel consumption and emissions. Also known as bottom or hull paints.

Ballast water
Water used to provide stability to a vessel. Causes biodiversity problems when non-indigenous marine organisms are released into new ecosystems.

Ballast water exchange
Method of exchanging ballast water when a ship is in open waters.

Bilge water
Water contaminated with oil and chemicals and accumulated in the bilge of a ship.

Biocides
Substances, such as tributyltin (TBT) compounds, that are destructive to many different organisms.

CO₂ – Carbon dioxide
Naturally occurring gas that also forms when fossil fuels are burned. Contributes to global warming.

Cooling agents
General term for substances used in refrigerating plants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Fuel cell
An electrochemical energy conversion device that uses hydrogen and oxygen or methanol to generate electricity. Its only by-products are water and heat.

IMO – International Maritime Organization
United Nations agency responsible for improving maritime safety and preventing pollution by ships.

ISO 14001:2004
Global standards for environmental management systems developed by the International Organization for Standardization.

KPI – Key performance indicator
A measure of a company’s progress towards realising organisational goals.

LFO – Low-sulphur fuel
Alternative fuel with lower sulphur content than heavy fuel oil. Reduces emissions of sulphur dioxide into the air.

NOx – Nitrogen oxides
General term for NO, N₂O and NO₂ formed at combustion. Cause health problems, acidification, eutrophication and damage to the ozone layer.

RoRo – Roll-on/roll-off
Cargo that is rolled on and rolled off a ship over its ramps.

SECA – Sulphur emission control areas
Particularly sensitive sea areas where vessels must use fuel with maximum sulphur content of 1.5%.

SOFC – Solid oxide fuel cell
An electrochemical conversion device that produces electricity directly from fuel.

SO₂ – Sulphur dioxide
Sulphur in the fuel oxidises to form SO₂ during fuel combustion. This leads to acidification.

Sustainable development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

WWF
The global conservation organisation.