Leading shipping organisations are calling on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt a proposed Net-Zero Framework (NZF) during a key vote next week in London.
The framework, which was agreed in principle by IMO members in April, would establish binding global climate rules for the shipping sector.
Groups including Danish Shipping, Singapore Shipping Association, UK Chamber of Shipping, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, Japanese Shipowners’ Association, Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association and Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners, have issued a statement arguing that adoption of the NZF is essential to achieve climate-neutral shipping, and streamline environmental regulations in the sector.
‘Binding global regulation’
“The industry supports the Net-Zero Framework,” commented Anne H. Steffensen, CEO of Danish Shipping. “Binding global regulation is crucial to achieving the goal of climate-neutral shipping by 2050. We need global regulation and a level playing field.
“The alternative to the Net-Zero Framework is not no regulation, as some of the agreement’s opponents may hope, but rather a complicated patchwork of regional and national regulations – and that is completely wrong for a global industry.”
The seven associations also called on the EU, which currently has the most ambitious climate targets for shipping, to send a ‘clear signal of adherence’ to the IMO’s NZF when it is adopted, in order to avoid double payment for shipping emissions and to reduce regulatory pressure.
Elsewhere, other maritime groups such as the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and European Shipowners (ES | ECSA) have also issued statements in support of the NZF.
‘Strengthen the incentive’
“The adoption of the Net-Zero Framework will strengthen the incentive to reduce emissions and invest in sustainable energy, fuels and technology,” Steffensen added.
“It will also send the strongest possible signal to investors and manufacturers to scale up production of the alternative fuels that shipping will need to move towards zero emissions.”
Danish Shipping represents more than 90 members, including shipping and offshore companies, and is part of Blue Denmark, the country’s maritime cluster. Read more here and here.
[Photo: IMO – International Maritime Organization/Danish Shipping]
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