Introduction:
Shipping is the backbone of global trade, moving around 80% of the world’s goods. However, the environmental cost of this massive industry often goes unnoticed. Despite being an efficient mode of transport, shipping has a significant impact on the environment through air pollution, water pollution, and marine ecosystem degradation.

Main Points:

• Carbon Emissions from Shipping and Their Contribution to Global Warming:
  Ships burn heavy fuel oil (HFO), one of the dirtiest forms of fossil fuels, which releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. The shipping industry contributes about 3% of global CO2 emissions. As international trade continues to grow, so does the carbon footprint of the industry. Without proper regulation, shipping could account for 17% of global CO2 emissions by 2050.

• Impact of Ballast Water Discharge on Marine Biodiversity:
  Ballast water is used by ships to stabilize themselves during travel. However, when this water is discharged at different locations, it can introduce invasive species into foreign ecosystems. These species can disrupt local ecosystems, threatening native marine life and biodiversity.

• Solutions to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Shipping:
  Efforts to reduce shipping's environmental impact include adopting alternative fuels like liquefied natural gas (LNG), improving energy efficiency with advanced hull designs, and implementing slow steaming (reducing ship speeds). The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has also set targets to reduce the industry's emissions by 50% by 2050.