It would be a mistake to place responsibility for meeting IMO’s zero emission shipping targets fully on the shoulders of the shipping industry, warns INTERCARGO.
Specifically, Spyros Tarasis, Vice-Chairman of INTERCARGO explained that “global challenges require global solutions, but it must be remembered that the commercial development of these solutions is within the direct control of other stakeholders and not shipowners.”
Such a target requires a drastic and urgently needed acceleration in the commercial development of the required technologies, fuels, propulsion systems and related infrastructure
In addition, he noted that while INTERCARGO fully supports the drive and the ambition to achieve zero emission shipping by 2050, it urges governments to adopt the necessary measures to accelerate R&D of zero-carbon technologies and expedite their deployment. As he said, “the net-zero target will only be plausible if governments take the necessary action to achieve this at IMO.”
In order not to jeopardise the 2050 target, INTERCARGO also calls for immediate approval of the industry proposal for the establishment of an International Maritime Research and Development Board and an IMO Maritime Research Fund.
In the medium term, it stresses the need for a global levy on carbon emissions from ships as a Market Based Measure, to accelerate the uptake and deployment of zero-carbon technologies and fuels.
INTERCARGO believes that without the above concrete actions, it will be premature to revise intermediate targets for 2030 or indeed for any subsequent year beyond.
INTERCARGO fully supports the IMO in meeting the shared, global challenge of delivering on the shipping industry’s decarbonisation agenda and, in representing dry bulk ship owners, managers and operators, invites IMO to take action as needed
The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) – 78th session, is taking place since 10 June 2022, and IMO provided an overview of what to expect from the meeting.
Highlights:
- Tackling climate change – cutting GHG emissions from ships – progressing the work
- Proposal to designate the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides
- BWM Convention experience-building phase, application and proposed amendments
- Discharge water from exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) – guidelines and guidance
- Marine plastic litter from ships – mandatory garbage record books for smaller ships and marking of fishing gear
- Adoption of amendments (watertight doors, GESAMP Hazard Evaluation procedure)
- Protecting seas in the Arctic – regional arrangements for port reception facilities
- Revision of the Anti-fouling Systems Convention guidelines
- Unified interpretations of provisions of IMO environment-related conventions
- MEPC 78 arrangements including media accreditation
- Tackling climate change – cutting GHG emissions from ships
