The Challenge
Every year, thousands of tonnes of synthetic mooring rope are retired across the global fleet. Despite their scale and material value, these ropes often disappear from view once removed from vessels.
An Invisible Waste Stream
Every year, thousands of tonnes of synthetic mooring rope are retired across the global fleet. Despite their scale and material value, these ropes often disappear from view once removed from vessels. Disposal is typically handled on a case-by-case basis, varying by port, contractor, and local conditions. This leads to a number of challenges:
- Limited visibility over where materials ultimately end up;
- Inconsistent handling practices across ports and fleets;
- Costs that are dispersed and difficult to quantify;
- Little or no data available for reporting or review.
These ropes are also composed of high-performance polymers, materials that are durable, valuable, and resource-intensive to produce.
At the same time, the maritime industry is facing increasing pressure to better understand and manage its environmental footprint, including materials that fall outside traditional fuel and emissions reporting. Charterers, regulators, and financial stakeholders are beginning to ask more detailed questions about end-of-life materials, particularly within the context of Scope 3 emissions and broader ESG frameworks.
For many operators, the challenge is not unwillingness, but lack of structure. This IMPA SAVE initiative is about addressing that gap and bringing forward viable solutions.
