‘Disappointed’ at the lack of progress at MEPC 82 – KCC

Norwegian shipping firm Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC) expressed concern over the lack of consensus on the IMO's mid-term measures in MEPC 82, noting that there is still a long way to go for finalising regulations.

PHOTO: Klaveness Combination Carriers' vessel MV Bass. KCC

39 countries supported a universal greenhouse gas (GHG) levy while 15 opposed it at the 82nd session of IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) in London, according to research from University College London (UCL).

This lack of consensus shows that “significant work” needs to be done before regulations to guide shipping towards a net-zero goal by 2050 can be finalised, Engebret Dahm, KCC's chief executive said in a statement.

"Delaying action is not an option and will only lead to future pain for shipowners and their customers," he warned, stressing that regulatory uncertainty will hinder investment in fleet efficiency, low- and zero-emission fuels and their infrastructure.

One of the biggest risks at this point is the development of “flawed and inefficient” regulation from the IMO that could fail to incentivise emission reduction or provide enough clarity for investing in future fuels, he highlighted.

A weak regulation could push the shipping sector toward “specific” fuels or technologies that may not be suitable for all shipping segments. This could complicate compliance and raise costs for customers, Dahm argued.

He urged the IMO to adopt a strategy similar to the EU's approach, which combines a carbon levy with a fuel standard, providing a clear framework for the industry.

“Time is short, with the deadline to reach a consensus by the end of 2025, making the next six months up to the MEPC meeting in April 2025 especially critical,” he concluded.

By Konica Bhatt

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