MEPC 80: Next two years critical for shipping – WSC

The World Shipping Council (WSC) calls the IMO’s revised greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy a “new beginning for shipping” and says the next two years will be critical for both the IMO and shipping.

PHOTO: The IMO adopted a revised GHG strategy today. IMO

The IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) has adopted a new GHG strategy today, which aims to achieve net zero GHG emissions from international shipping "by or around 2050".

WSC, a trade association representing the international liner shipping industry, says the next two years will be critical to achieving the net zero 2050 target.

“The next two years will be critical – for 2050 targets to be achievable IMO member nations must develop and agree on a lifecycle-based global fuel standard and economic measure by 2025, so they can be implemented by 2027,” WSC’s president and chief executive John Butler said.

By 2025, the IMO has agreed to develop technical measures i.e., a marine fuel standard regulating the phased reduction of marine fuels' GHG intensity, and an economic measures such as carbon levy. These are part of wider mid-term measures by the IMO that are expected to enter into force by 2027 at the earliest.

Butler says cross-industry efforts are needed to achieve these ambitious targets. He adds that the liner industry is open to working with the IMO on regulations, and with fuel suppliers and technology firms to fulfil these climate goals.

More regulatory clarity from the IMO over the coming years will further help to ramp up investments and green fuels production, Butler says.

By Nithin Chandran

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