Shipping Operations Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Shipping Operations Strategy - Essay Example The growth in the LNG trade is expected to continue for some time. This, as a number of new sources is being exploited, or is in the process of being exploited. This has resulted in an increase in the demand for LNG carriers and an increase in activities in various ship yards around the world. While research suggests an increase in business for firms in the supply chain, there are a number of ships that were idle throughout 2008 to 2010. This has been so, even with the substantial increase in importation in Japan, Korea and Spain. However, while their imports are increasing, those of North America and Europe have not shown any significant changes. LNG is required for heating and cooking purposes. In some countries it is used to generate electricity. It is also said to emit less carbon dioxide than other fossil fuel such as coal and oil. This makes it a popular commodity in most countries. According to Jensen (2004, p5) prior to the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG) technolog y, its use was limited to areas that could be served by pipelines. However, the development of LNG along with improvements in technology and cost has changed all of that and so gas is rapidly becoming an internationally traded commodity. LNG is condensed natural gas. The volume of which has been reduced by a factor of 600 for storage and transportation (Audun Brands?ter 2010). It is transported by LNG carriers that are capable of safely transporting LNG from liquefaction plants to LNG terminals for storage and re-gasification. Some carriers are specially equipped to allow for the capability of re-gasification on board the vessel. Introduction A number of factors have to be considered in making the decision of whether to buy 6 LNG Tankers. These are technical as well as commercial considerations, which demand an understanding of the product and the market. LNG Carriers form the link between the liquefaction plan and the LNG terminal and so it forms an important part of the supply cha in (GIIGNL Technical Study Group n.d.). Supplies of LNG are imported primarily from countries such as Algeria, Trinidad, Venezuela, Nigeria, Norway, Qatar, Oman and Australia. These represent areas where large discoveries have been made. Some LNG is also produced in Alaska. LNG is a viable export commodity for these countries because they cannot use all the natural gas that they produce. (DOM n.d.) Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas which has been converted to liquid to facilitate its storage and transportation. According to MAGALOG (2008) LNG is a space efficient way to store and transport natural gas when pipelines are not a feasible solution. This conversion is, however, of a temporary nature and involves a number of processes. After the gas is extracted, it is taken to a plant for processing, where it is purified by removing water, oil, mud and gases including CO2 and H2S, thereby allowing for its condensation. The gas is condensed into a liquid at close to atmospheric p ressure by cooling it to approximately -162oC (-260oF). The LNG is then stored into tanks, after which, it is loaded onto ships. LNG consists mainly of

Research some initiatives that reduce the devasting impact that Essay

Research some initiatives that reduce the devasting impact that hospitality operations have on our environment - Essay Example Political rationality is based on the ability to solve problems and arrive at effective, collective decisions. Technical rationality is dependent on the value of efficiency. These modern environmental management methods require a rationality of both means and ends. They specify the means by which given ends can be achieved. Those ends are environmental goals such as less pollution and the conservation of water. There is a close relationship between hotels and the environment. Various features of the physical environment are an attraction for tourists. The environment covers all of people's natural and cultural surroundings. The natural environment is what exists in nature such as the land and its soil and topography. The built environment consists of man-made physical features consisting of infrastructure development. Tourist facilities and infrastructure constitute one aspect of the built environment. The ensuing tourism development and tourist use of an area generate environmental impacts. Hotels have signified their commitment to ensure a healthy and clean environment. There are three international hotels which have implemented very successful environmental initiatives. The Shangri-la Hotels and Resorts Hong Kong has initiatives on environmental management. In the area of environmental sustainability, the hotel's focus is primarily in five areas: climate change; ozone depletion; water use management; waste disposal management; and indoor air quality. Shangri-La is ramping up energy conservation initiatives so that it will reduce 2006 group-wide energy consumption figures by 12 percent by the end of 2008. Currently, the group practices a wide array of environmentally friendly measures such as fitting all guestrooms with water-saving devices in taps and showers as well as using energy-saving lamps in more than half of the group's guestrooms. Shangri-La was an industry leader in initiating environmental procedures even before its hotels began to receive ISO14001 certifi cation, the international Environmental Management System Standard. The group has an extensive list of internally developed environmental best practices that all hotels have implemented, with inspections to monitor for compliance. The inspection results affect each hotel's annual performance and development review scores. In addressing impacts on climate change, the group is working on reducing carbon dioxide emissions per room night by 6.7 kg., as compared to 2006 figures. Shangri-La has three broad methods for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases: through existing systems and processes; the use of new technologies and alternative energy sources; and by building more efficient buildings. In new hotels, Shangri-La seeks to save energy and resources through a variety of techniques involving rainwater harvesting, hot water production using solar panels or heat pumps, and improvements in building envelope design to reduce heat loss or heat gain as well as air filtration. (Shangri-la Company website). Another international hotel with a sterling reputation on environmental