THE INTERNATIONAL Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced it has achieved key progress in negotiations towards achieving global regulations on net-zero framework
The 82nd session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee was recently held in London, which saw a draft legal text produced integrating proposals from member states and organisations on possible amendments to MARPOL Annex VI.
The IMO says the text will be used as the basis for ongoing talks around proposed “mid-term measures” for greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, which are expected to be adopted in 2025.
The proposed measures include a goal-based marine fuel standard that will phase in the mandatory use of fuels with less GHG intensity and a global maritime GHG emissions pricing mechanism, aimed to drive the shipping industry’s transition to net-zero by 2050.
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) welcomed the session’s progress on developing a base text for amendments to the MARPOL Convention, but emphasised that more work is needed to be undertaken by governments before the net-zero framework is ready to be approved at next year’s MEPC meeting in April.
“We are pleased that the concept of a universal GHG contribution by ships, per tonne of CO2 emitted, remains firmly on the table at IMO,” the ICS said.
“There is strong support for this from a clear majority of IMO Member States, which also control most of the world’s shipping tonnage.”
The session also saw discussion on the possible establishment of an IMO GHG intensity registry and an IMO fund/facility in order to facilitate the implementation of the technical and economic elements of GHG reduction measures.
IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez’s closing remarks at the meeting commended the constructive atmosphere during the week’s discussions.
“I welcome your continued demonstrated commitment. It has allowed us to identify further areas of convergence on defining the legal framework for the IMO Net Zero Framework, that will effectively guide the next round of dialogue,” Mr Dominguez said.
“I am convinced that at the next session, you will reach an agreement.”
The IMO expects members to approve the amendments ahead of formal adoption in October 2025.
The ICS said it was also pleased that the MEPC had committed to consider and address identified system anomalies within the Carbon Intensity Indicator, which had previous drawn the ire of various parties within the industry.
