By Bryce Lewis-Smith and Kurt Ellison 

As global temperatures continue to rise due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gasses, we need to rethink business-as-usual. Therefore, various sectors and industries are pulling together to determine pathways to reduce their carbon footprints. Maritime shipping, ports, and the connected supply chain play a pivotal role in tackling a globally integrated challenge. 

Commercial ships are a critical link in the global supply chain, transporting raw materials, goods, and products across oceans and driving economic growth. The maritime industry’s current reliance on fossil fuels makes the industry a significant contributor of greenhouse gas emissions and ports a point-source for localized air pollution from trucks, trains, and vessels as they are hubs in the supply network.

The maritime industry is beginning to take significant steps to reduce emissions but more must be done to meet the International Maritime Organization net-zero emission 2050 goal, to protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate change and to improve regional air quality. 

The marine affairs program at the UW has changed and evolved over the years. What once was a program focused on maritime industry, ports and commercial shipping, has evolved to include perspectives based in addressing environmental justice, community engagement and climate policy. SMEA alumni are weaving together our climate, maritime, and environmental justice expertise to address these complex issues and position the Pacific Northwest as a global leader in marine decarbonization. Internationally, alumni work with countries and the International Maritime Organization to lead the global effort in maritime sustainability. Decarbonization and pollution reductions in this sector will require a holistic multidisciplinary approach, something that SMEA has strived towards through its faculty, students, and alumni.

Alumni:

Devon Emily Thorsell, (’15), is the Vice President of Operations at Washington Maritime Blue. Her work is focused on operationalizing the values of the blue economy through equitable and innovative nonprofit management. At Maritime Blue, she oversees communications, human resources, contracts and finance, membership, facilities management, compliance, board relations, and is a member of the executive leadership team. Devon is also a member of the SMEA Director’s Council.

Alex Adams, (‘11) leads the Port of Seattle’s Maritime Sustainability team, which includes climate change, air quality, energy, and environmental justice-related projects and programs. Alex leads numerous collaborative efforts, like the development of the world’s first green corridor focused on cruise ships, implementation of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy and Maritime Climate and Air Action, strategies helping deliver the energy and fuels needed for Seattle’s future zero-emission maritime industry, and community-focused programs to deliver benefits where they are needed most. Alex is also a licensed captain with over two decades at sea.

Abigail Ames, (‘22) is an environmental justice practitioner with a background in marine ecology, environmental policy, and management. After graduating from SMEA in 2022, Abigail held a Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellowship supporting the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s (NWSA) Air Quality and Sustainable Practices team. From 2022-23 Abigail was deeply involved in efforts to decarbonize and innovate the marine shipping landscape, in particular, Abigail worked to integrate the community in problem-solving, discussion of issues, and decision-making. From installing shore power to demonstrating alternative energy sources and supporting global efforts to decarbonize the maritime shipping industry, the breadth of efforts to achieve the common goal of zero emissions by 2040 or sooner are ambitious and dedicated.

Abigail engineered a public web portal to be published soon, one of the first opportunities in the maritime industry for members of the public, and NWSA’s constituents in Tacoma and Seattle, to see up-to-date information tracking NWSA, Port of Tacoma, and Port of Seattle progress toward the joint climate goals they are working to achieve. Building relationships and rebuilding trust in communities is crucial in the maritime industry, especially where alternative energy is concerned. Many of the communities living near Ports are minoritized, underserved, and disproportionately impacted by air pollution from activities presenting an urgent environmental justice issue that is gaining momentum as these organizations make progress toward building bridges with communities supporting, participating in, and living near the maritime industry.

Sara Thompson, (‘11) leads the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Vessel and Oil Transfer Inspection Team.  This team helps Washington state move closer to a goal of zero spills by inspecting large cargo and passenger vessels to determine if they pose a “substantial risk” of harm to public health or the environment. Inspectors use their maritime expertise to evaluate whether vessels have adequate safety and spill-prevention policies in place. The team recently updated their inspection checklist to include considerations and best practices for vessels operating with alternative marine fuels.

Sandra (Major) Kilroy, (‘91) is the Senior Director of Environment and Sustainability for the maritime and airport operations of the Port of Seattle. She leads a diverse team in managing programs in climate, energy, waste reduction, habitat restoration, water quality, remediation, noise, sustainable infrastructure, and resiliency planning.  A key focus for Sandy has been to grow the Port’s leadership in decarbonizing the maritime and aviation industries, advancing sustainable transportation fuels, and planning for a just transition to a clean fuel economy. 

Murat Polat, (‘21) works at the Directorate for Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, he primarily focuses on climate policies within the maritime industry, aiming to enhance the capacity of Turkish owners and the Turkish flag fleet to comply with international and regional regulations. Murat actively participates in policy development processes within the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee to shape policies geared towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. He also participates in the ongoing assessment of mid-term measures for reducing greenhouse gasses, as outlined in IMO’s 2023 strategy, representing Turkiye’s interests as a delegation member. Additionally, he oversees carbon emission databases for both the IMO and the European Union Emission Trading System as a contact point for Turkiye. Moreover, he is tasked with drafting regulations for monitoring, reporting, and verifying GHG emissions for ships calling at Turkish ports, as well as formulating an Emission Trading System tailored for Turkiye’s shipping sector.

Kurt Ellison, (‘23), is the Maritime Policy Manager at Climate Solutions. His work focuses on climate and energy policy at the state level in Washington and Oregon with an emphasis on port decarbonization, sustainable marine fuels, green shipping corridors, and offshore wind. Utilizing experience from his prior career as a merchant mariner he advocates for state policies that help accelerate the region’s decarbonization efforts while staying connected to its rich maritime heritage. He currently sits as Climate Solutions’ representative on the Blue Wind Collaborative, a coalition of groups supporting Washington State’s development of an offshore wind supply chain with a focus on community benefits and collaborative engagement.

Bryce Lewis-Smith – Citizen Potawatomi Nation (‘23), is an environmental justice associate at Better World Group. He braids together public policy, climate science, and community engagement to uphold Tribal Sovereignty and have positive public health impacts. Bryce currently works on campaigns related to desert water rights, offshore wind energy community benefit agreements, and port electrification as a pathway for decarbonization.