The Tripartite Forum met in Tokyo discussing the rapidly changing shipping industry and what will follow in the near future, based on the environmental, economic and technological changes that the industry will face.
Keeping in mind that the industry is forced to reduce its shipping emissions, in line with the IMO’s 2020 sulphur cap, the 2050 IMO targets will require crucial changes including development of new zero emission technologies, new and sustainable fuels, escalation of R&D efforts and closer cooperation of all stakeholders within the shipping industry.
The Forum notes that although the targets are achievable, it is important to implement better and clearer regulation to easier achieve the goals set.
Moreover, the Forum discussed about the rapid evolution of the digitalization in the shipping industry, which offers both operational and logistical efficiencies. Yet, in this field, the Forum supports that similarly to decarbonization, it is important that the industry sets a clearly defined regulatory framework to safeguard cyber-security, safe operations onboard and equanimity in sharing the legal burden between shipbuilders.
In addition, Tripartite highlighted the importance of MSC, IMO and MEPC partnering to achieve more effectively today’s goals.
Tripartite also agreed that the increasing number of reported fires on containerships will necessitate greater transparency in cargo declaration and improvements in how fires are detected and extinguished.
