KNOWN as MEPC 77, the latest meeting of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee was held from 22-26 November.
Both the World Shipping Council and the International Chamber of Shipping have expressed disappointment at the outcome of MEPC 77, at what it sees as the lack of government willingness to back up commitments made at the COP26 meeting on decarbonisation.
John Butler, president & CEO of World Shipping Council said, “The goal for liner shipping is clear: move away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible.
“It is a moral imperative, keenly felt by us working in the industry, as much as it is what our customers and investors demand.”
Mr Butler said there is a need to drive progress towards a tipping point where the technologies for zero-GHG shipping can be applied and a clear demand picture can drive availability of and infrastructure for alternative fuels.
He said this makes the “stalling” of IMO member countries around a research and development fund for alternative fuels “dangerous”.
“We can talk all we want about the ambitions for 2050, but unless we put initiatives to drive real progress in place, we are not going to get there,” Mr Butler said.
WSC members are among the carriers exploring and investing in alternative technologies and solutions, but this will not be enough to change the entire industry. It also risks leaving some countries, sectors, and companies behind.
“Our appeal to political leaders and regulators is to not get stuck in a cycle of ambition bidding, but to take action for inclusive change in the shipping industry,” Mr Butler said.
“Whilst we are disappointed there was no decision, the MEPC 77 saw a notable increase in the number of nations supporting the establishment of an industry-financed research fund, pushing US$5 billion into R&D towards zero-GHG technologies that will be available to all nations,” he said.
The International Chamber of Shipping’s secretary general, Guy Platten said, “This week’s meetings have missed the opportunity to take forward a range of GHG reduction measures which would accelerate the development of zero emissions ships
“It’s almost as if COP 26 never happened,” he said.
The ICS will continue to work with governments to agree to the suite of measures which the industry has proposed, including the $5 billion dollar R&D fund as an immediate step to be followed by a levy-based carbon price for shipping.
“The adoption of both these measures will be the only way to deliver on net zero emissions from shipping by 2050 while ensuring an equitable transition that leaves no one behind,” Mr Platten said.
It appears that insufficient time was dedicated to allow IMO Member States to take a decision on the $5 billion fund at the MEPC 77 meeting.
“All we are asking is for governments to let business to get on and do the things that need to be done,” Mr Platten said.
“We are not even asking for money or the type of subsidies that other sectors receive. This is a no brainer at a time when we do not have time to prevaricate.
“The IMO Maritime Research Fund is the only proposal on the table ready for immediate agreement,” he said.
Mr Platten warned that if the proposal it is not taken forward soon, it may signal that the IMO is no longer truly serious about maintaining its leadership on GHG issues and that “others may then move in to fill the vacuum”.
