Tag: GHG

After a week of extensive negotiations, both developing and developed countries attending the IMO MEPC 72 meeting in London, have reached an agreement to reduce shipping's GHG emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008. This was marked as a historic decision, as the shipping industry aims to align with the Paris Agreement goals.

Commenting on the ongoing discussions on a GHG strategy at MEPC 72, Mark Simmonds, Policy Manager at British Ports Association, noted that any agreements reached this week should be implemented by the UK Government in a pragmatic and sensible manner, so that they will not disadvantage any particular region or distort competition.

Following extensive negotiations and some time before closure of the IMO MEPC 72 in London this week, both developing and developed countries around the world have called for unity and consensus around the historic decision to reduce GHG emissions from shipping sector.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority called the Dutch Government to create a coalition with countries in North-West Europe, so that a joint CO2 price can be introduced. The Port Authority also announced an incentive of in total 5 million euros for vessel operators experimenting with low-carbon or zero-carbon fuels.

There is a wide range of wind-assist and primary wind propulsion technology solutions that could offer 10-30% savings for retrofits, and up to 50% on smaller new built fully optimised vessels, helping the industry meet its ambitious carbon reduction targets, said IWSA, on the occasion of the IMO MEPC 72 this week.

As the shipping industry needs to move to renewable and alternative fuels to reduce environmental footprint, there is no widely available fuel to manage climate change and local pollutants, according to a study by University of Manchester. Some of the alternative fuel options analysed have the potential, but only if key barriers can be overcome.

The international shipping community is watching with great interest discussions at MEPC 72 which started on 9 April in London. The committee is expected to adopt the Initial Greenhouse Gas emission reduction strategy to minimize air pollution, in line with climate goals as defined in Paris Agreement.

The project is funded mostly by a $9.7 million grant from the California Energy Commission, and will bring 25 vehicles that are zero - or near zero -emissions to Port of Long Beach marine terminals for one year to test their performance in a real-world setting. The project aims to reduce GHG by more than 1,323 tons and smog-causing nitrogen oxides by 27 tons each year.

The discussions aim to conclude on an Initial Strategy a CO2 emissions reduction target for the sector as well as potential short, mid, and long-term reduction measures. The EU has recently agreed on a position with regard to the negotiations in the IMO on a CO2 emissions reduction target. 

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim stressed that a successful outcome on GHG strategy is very important, as he opened the working group meeting ahead of the forthcoming key Marine Environment Protection Committee. Mr. Lim called the meeting to finalize the draft Initial Strategy for adoption at MEPC 72.