Environmental regulations, high-standard research and openness to new technologies have enabled the Baltic Sea region to become a pacesetter in clean shipping activities. However, a lack of knowledge exchange and cooperation between scientists, policy makers and industry representatives has hindered further and faster development towards sustainable shipping.
The overarching aim of the platform has been to synthesise the findings of individual projects and the complementary expertise of the partners to produce and provide information on two key topics which are important for the Baltic Sea region as a whole: the environmental impacts of shipping and the business potential in clean shipping.
From research to practice
Right from the start, it was clear to CSHIPP partners that to improve cooperation and the transfer of scientific knowledge from research to practice, special attention needed to be paid to dissemination activities. The ability to discuss research findings with maritime authorities, policy makers and industry representatives was seen as crucial for reaching the project objectives. Thus, the partners did not settle just for producing publications and outputs but were also careful in choosing appropriate channels and approaches to contact target group representatives to share and exchange information with them. CSHIPP partners attended various events and meetings to present and discuss research findings on issues such as the impacts of shipping on air and water quality, underwater noise, human health, and marine and land ecosystems. Stakeholders and target group representatives from both public and private sectors were also invited to various events, meetings and personal consultations organised by CSHIPP partners to discuss the environmental issues at hand and the policy measures needed to foster cleaner shipping.
Similarly, to explore the business potential in clean shipping, CSHIPP partners set up various workshops and events aimed at industry representatives from the maritime sector. These events explored topics such as sustainable business models for clean shipping, new clean shipping technologies, and the role of collaboration as a catalyst for commercially viable clean shipping. Publications on clean shipping financing, cross-sectoral collaboration and future needs for new clean shipping technologies were also prepared and actively shared with target group representatives.
Easy-to-access information sharing solutions
To provide alternatives for scientific reports and events which can sometimes be heavy to take in, CSHIPP partners created online tools and easy-to-access ways to share information to relevant target groups through e-platforms. For example, an online portal serving as an inventory of data on shipping emissions and their impact on the Baltic Sea region was established. In addition to the portal, a storymap was set up to function as an online dissemination and educational tool on clean shipping. A short animation was also released to serve as an introduction to the work done for clean shipping in the Baltic Sea region. These outputs enabled the partners to get through to the wider target groups the project set out to reach. With the help of CSHIPP partners from St. Petersburg Cleantech Cluster, many outputs were translated and disseminated to Russian stakeholders, enabling the consortium to access an audience in this part of the Baltic Sea region too.
Collaboration and dialogue as a way forward
CSHIPP’s activities and outputs received a lot of positive feedback from the target group representatives. But what did the partners make out of the project platform collaboration? Well, based on feedback from the partners, project platforms were seen as an excellent way to make new contacts, exchange ideas, build up new knowledge and broaden horizons. Just as transnational collaboration was key to get the most out of the extensive and complementary expertise of the partners, cross-sectoral collaboration and connections were perceived as essential to achieve meaningful results and changes in established practices.
In terms of knowledge sharing and dissemination, direct contact and dialogue with policy makers and industry representatives were described as necessities for transferring the results of scientific research into practice. All in all, synthesising and showcasing the results of several projects from around the Baltic Sea region enabled new ideas and synergies to emerge and flourish and CSHIPP collaboration has already set off further transnational projects and initiatives in the field of clean shipping.
CSHIPP’s outputs are available on the project’s website: https://cshipp.eu/publications
Clean Shipping Project Platform (CSHIPP)
Duration: 1.10.2018 – 31.3.2021
Budget: 1.1 million euros
Lead partner: University of Turku, Centre for Maritime Studies of Brahea Centre
Projects involved in CSHIPP: EnviSuM, SHEBA, ECOPRODIGI, GoLNG, BalticLines, BSR Electric, Smartup Accelerator
Associate partners include EUSBSR PA Ship and PA Transport
Website: https://cshipp.eu/
Twitter: @CSHIPP_BSR
