Martek Marine achieves global landmark

SOUTH Yorkshire-based Martek Marine has achieved 95% of the global market for marine carbon emission monitoring systems despite fierce competition from much bigger rivals.

The firm, which is considered a global leader in safety and environmental monitoring systems for the global marine industry, is planning to double its turnover over the next two years thanks to the milestone. 

Martek Marine is attributing its success to MariNOX – the world’s first approved nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide and carbon dioxide emissions monitor.

Paul Luen, Martek’s chief executive, said that the introduction of emissions control areas and the onset of carbon trading around the world meant that shipping fleets will be taxed on their emissions.

“Air pollution from shipping is under increasing scrutiny from the world media,” he said.

“The marine industry has to act fast if it is to catch up with other industries and to comply with increased emission-reduction regulations that will be implemented by the International Marine Organisation soon.”

Mr Luen said that MariNOX provided skippers with the data they require to optimise the efficiency of their engines and reduce fuel consumption.

“This will obviously help reduce CO2 emissions,” Mr Luen continued.

“For every tonne of fuel saved, a vessels carbon dioxide emission is reduced by 3.4 tonnes. Installing MariNOx across a fleet could reduce their carbon footprint by the equivalent emissions of hundreds of thousands of cars per year.”

International shipping like the aviation industry is not regulated by the Kyoto Protocol and contributes nearly 3% to global greenhouse gas emissions – double that generated by aircraft.

In 2005, Martek Marine received two Queen’s awards for Enterprise for innovation and international trade.