Blog

  • What Comes Next for Global Shipping

    The future of shipping is being shaped by three forces working together:

    1. Tighter climate rules
    2. Fast advances in fuel and ship technology
    3. Rising pressure from investors, cargo owners, and consumers

    Global trade will continue to rely on shipping. But the industry’s ability to operate in a low-carbon world is no longer guaranteed. How well shipping cuts emissions will affect climate goals, trade stability, jobs, and fairness for communities near ports.

    Key Takeaways

    • Shipping moves about 80% of global trade and produces around 3% of global emissions
    • Without action, shipping emissions could rise sharply by 2050
    • Heavy fuel oil is being replaced by cleaner energy options
    • IMO rules and regional policies are pushing ships to use less fuel
  • Ship Engines, Fuel Use, and Emissions Growth

    Ships’ engines are responsible for producing climate-changing pollutants, most notably carbon dioxide. These engines could be culpable for nearly 10% of total global emissions by the year 2050 at current growth rates.

    Heavy Fuel Oil and the Challenge of Cleaner Energy

    Heavy fuels called HFOs are still the most burnt by most ships. This is a particularly dirty fuel and will be a crucial factor in the future of engine design. The fuel itself will need to be made less toxic at refineries if this is possible.

    Efficiency Standards and Industry Adaptation

    Different classes of ships will be required to meet new standards based mostly on a baseline figure set as the average efficiency of ships built between 1999–2009. The intention is to make ships more fuel efficient. While the rules are necessarily changing, the difficulties faced by ship builders and route operators in the face of these changes are still very apparent.

    Economic Importance of the Shipping Industry

    Shipping makes a huge contribution to the world economy. It is vital to intercontinental trade, bringing bulk raw materials within the reach of countries unable to provide them for themselves.

  • Climate Change and the Effect on the Shipping Industry

    Shipping’s Contribution to Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

    It may not seem so significant numerically, but shipping still contributes roughly 3% of emissions, specifically greenhouse gases. The sector faces important demands to reduce this figure, thus diminishing its environmental impact.

    Policy Pressure and Workforce Implications

    Governments enforcing policy, which affect how companies and corporations must tackle their emissions output, will undoubtedly have challenges when offering maritime jobs to future employees. Maintaining current staff benefits and contract terms for new workers may create uncertainty for all stakeholders. Alternatively, new vacancies in clerical and administration may become possible considering the new demands placed on companies.

  • Apply Infill to the Turf

    To help your synthetic grass look and feel as real as possible, you need to apply infill once it’s been secured in place. Not sure what to put under artificial grass? The manufacturer of your artificial turf will determine the best type of infill to use, which can range from acrylic-coated sand to crumb rubber. Once you’ve narrowed down the best infill option, use a drop spreader to event disperse the infill throughout the lawn. After the infill has been spread throughout the yard, you need to brush it into the artificial turf until it sinks completely below the grass, helping the blades stand up in place. 

  • Cut Turf to Size Secure the Perimeter

    1. After rolling out the artificial turf over top of the area where it’s being installed, you will need to make the appropriate cuts. Using carpet cutters or razor knives you should cut the turf to the desired shape, allowing for an extra 1/4’’ to 1/2’’ on the edge of your border to allow for the perfect fit. This is also when you should use artificial grass seam tape or glue to fuse your sheets of turf if you are installing multiple pieces. Allow the glue to set for at least 15 minutes before moving onto the next step.
    2. Using the 1/4’’ to 1/2’’ of extra turf you left on the edge, tuck the artificial turf into the border of the installation area using a metal putty knife and hammer. For added stability, use non-galvanized turf nails or staples to secure the turf to the ground about every six inches along the outside perimeter. Additional nails and staples should be used on the insides areas of the turf to prevent the turf from coming loose.
  • Lay Your Base Material Roll Out Your Artificial Grass

    1. Now that your yard has been prepped, it’s time to lay your base material that will go below your turf lawn to absorb water and prevent uneven pooling. Your base material can consist of stones or gravel smaller than 3/8 inches, crushed rock, or decomposed granite. You will need enough base material to add a three to four-inch layer on top of the soil to ensure your yard has adequate drainage.
    2. Once the base material is in place, it’s time for the fun part — laying out your artificial grass! Roll out your turf lawn over the area where it is being installed and allow it to sit in the sun for half an hour. If you skip this step, the artificial turf may expand after you cut it to fit the space, causing you to do rework by recutting the grass. Keep in mind that if you are working with multiple rolls of artificial turf, you want to ensure the blades are all aligned in the same direction for a seamless and natural appearance.

  • Remove Natural Grass

    1. Before you can install artificial turf in your yard, you need to remove the natural lawn. Ground preparation is the key to a successful installation project and isn’t something that should be skipped! Begin by weeding your yard to remove grassroots and weeds, ensuring that they don’t continue to grow underneath your artificial turf and cause problems down the line. If you’re spraying the weeds in non-toxic weed removal, make sure you do this at least two weeks before your scheduled installation day so it has time to work properly. Once any weeds have been taken care of, you can begin disposing on the top few inches of soil.
  • How to Install Artificial Turf

    There’s something about the look of artificial turf that takes a backyard to the next level. This might leave you wondering how much it costs to have artificial grass installed. Although it looks remarkable, will it fit within your home improvement budget? Luckily, there are step-by-step installation instructions you can follow to install your DIY artificial grass.

    If you want to learn how to install artificial turf, you’ve come to the right place. Our turf installation guide explains what to put under artificial grass, how to lay artificial turf, and more.

  • How Much Sub-Base Is Required?

    Before installing your synthetic lawn, you need to acquire the necessary materials — and that includes sub-base. But how much sub-base do you need for the job? Well, that depends on how much of your yard you plan to transform with artificial turf. Although the of sub-case needed can vary, we’ve put together a general guideline to get you started in the right direction:

    • A minimum of 2” of sub-base is recommended for residential turf installation. This offers enough of a base for drainage, durability, and added stability.
    • For commercial turf installation jobs, you’ll likely need closer to a 3” to 4” sub-base due to the higher volume of foot traffic.

    To ensure you’ve procured the proper amount of sub-base, consult a turf installation professional. If you’re looking to install artificial grass in your backyard but are unsure where to get started, look no further. Our skilled team can guide you through the synthetic turf installation process and recommend the best sub-base material for your landscape — providing you with fake grass that will look great for many years to come!

  • Types of Artificial Grass Sub-Base  

    Now that it’s clear why you must install a sub-base for your artificial lawn, you may find yourself wondering “What base do I need for artificial grass?” While only you can determine the best sub-base for artificial grass in your backyard, it’s important that you do your research to understand the different materials available. Artificial turf sub-base materials are broken down into three main categories:

    • CMB – Made of recycled asphalt or concrete and a ¾” mixture of sand, gravel, or sand, a crushed miscellaneous base is an ideal option to lay between the ground and your artificial turf. 
    • Class II road base – Another option is Class II road base which goes through a rigorous testing process to ensure that it provides you with optimal consistency and durability. Because of this testing process, it often runs at a higher price point than CMB.
    • DG – Decomposed granite is a sub-base composed of granite sand, gravel, and clay mixed together to create a stable and structurally sound layer for your synthetic lawn.

    Of these three sub-base materials, CMB is the most commonly selected because of its cost-effectiveness and durability. While it’s the most popular, it necessarily doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your backyard. Consult with an artificial grass lawn installation company before deciding on the best sub-base material for your project.