During the London International Shipping Week, IMO’s Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, highlighted the need make zero-emission ships more commercially attractive, adding that the 2050 GHG goals can not be achieved by only using fossil fuels.
Namely, the Sec-Gen noted that the 2050 GHG goals have to be accomplished through a new propulsion revolution.
During the meeting, the Sec-Gen addressed the current challenges facing the maritime sector, including innovation such as digitalization as well as the debate around Arctic shipping. Also, the 2020 sulphur cap regulation is rapidly approaching, as Kitack Lim noted ‘(the regulation) has been a long time coming and is fast approaching‘.
He, additionally, discussed IMO’s GHG target which demands shipping industry ‘to peak GHG emissions from international shipping as soon as possible and to reduce the total annual GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008‘.
Kitack Lim added that the maritime sector must be safer, cleaner and more efficient.
Shipping is entering a new era and a key role of the IMO is to balance emerging new technology against safety, security and the impact on the environment
… Kitack Lim added.
In addition, during the LISW, major maritime stakeholders met discussing about the approaching 2020 sulphur cap and what changes will follow in the sector, whereas Inmarsat launched its report according to which startups are bringing a new era in the shipping industry boosting digitalization.