Cargo ships are the most efficient means of transportation worldwide. Over 90% of world trade is being transported by sea. Thus shipping not only plays a key role with regard to global logistics of goods, but also concerns the consumption of energy resources and the emission of climate-damaging gases and consequently contributes significantly to the pollution of our environment. Maritime shipping, with its output of over 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO_2) per year, is responsible for over 3% of worldwide CO_2 emissions (ca. 31 billion tons in 2007), as outlined in the second International Maritime Organization (IMO) Greenhouse Gas Study of 2009.
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