The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued a statement following the closing of the 17th meeting of the IMO Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 17), held from 23 to 27 September 2024.

“ICS is pleased that progress has been made over the past week but much more needs to be done. We are committed to working with Member States over the coming days and months to ensure a transparent, equitable, and workable solution is agreed upon to deliver on the IMO’s decarbonisation strategy.

“Positively the concept of a universal GHG contribution by ships per tonne of CO2 emitted remains firmly on the table, with strong support from a clear majority of IMO Member States. There is broad agreement, as advocated by the shipping industry, about the need to reduce the cost gap with conventional marine fuel oil to incentivise a rapidly accelerated uptake of zero/near-zero GHG fuels, so that achievement of net zero emissions by or close to 2050 remains plausible and possible,” ICS said in the statement.

“Notwithstanding this strong support for a universal GHG contribution or something similar, ICS acknowledges the legitimate questions about this form of maritime GHG emissions pricing mechanism among some governments such as China and Brazil.

“When these complex negotiations resume at IMO MEPC 82, ICS will continue to work with governments on all sides of the debate to find a workable solution that can enjoy broad consensus support when the package of new GHG reduction regulations for international shipping is approved by IMO next year,” ICS concluded.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 82nd session, meets at IMO Headquarters in London from 30 September to 4 October 2024.

MEPC 82 will discuss a range of environmental matters, including proposed mid-term measures for reducing GHG emissions from ships, enhancing energy efficiency of shipping, tackling marine litter, ballast water management and underwater noise reduction.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued a statement following the closing of the 17th meeting of the IMO Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 17), held from 23 to 27 September 2024.

“ICS is pleased that progress has been made over the past week but much more needs to be done. We are committed to working with Member States over the coming days and months to ensure a transparent, equitable, and workable solution is agreed upon to deliver on the IMO’s decarbonisation strategy.

“Positively the concept of a universal GHG contribution by ships per tonne of CO2 emitted remains firmly on the table, with strong support from a clear majority of IMO Member States. There is broad agreement, as advocated by the shipping industry, about the need to reduce the cost gap with conventional marine fuel oil to incentivise a rapidly accelerated uptake of zero/near-zero GHG fuels, so that achievement of net zero emissions by or close to 2050 remains plausible and possible,” ICS said in the statement.

“Notwithstanding this strong support for a universal GHG contribution or something similar, ICS acknowledges the legitimate questions about this form of maritime GHG emissions pricing mechanism among some governments such as China and Brazil.

“When these complex negotiations resume at IMO MEPC 82, ICS will continue to work with governments on all sides of the debate to find a workable solution that can enjoy broad consensus support when the package of new GHG reduction regulations for international shipping is approved by IMO next year,” ICS concluded.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 82nd session, meets at IMO Headquarters in London from 30 September to 4 October 2024.

MEPC 82 will discuss a range of environmental matters, including proposed mid-term measures for reducing GHG emissions from ships, enhancing energy efficiency of shipping, tackling marine litter, ballast water management and underwater noise reduction.