In November, IMO member states at the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting failed to agree either an increase in shipping’s ambitions to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, or agree a US $5 billion research and development fund.
And with the world watching the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Secretary General, Guy Platten, was quick to turn up the pressure a notch.
“Governments can’t keep kicking the can down the road,” he said.
“Every delay moves us further away from reaching pressing climate goals. We will continue to work with governments to agree to the suite of measures which the industry has proposed, including the US $5 billion dollar R&D fund as an immediate step to be followed by a levy based carbon price for shipping.”
It was back in October that the ICS formulated plans to the IMO detailing urgent measures which they believed governments had to take to help the industry achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
In the submission, shipping accepted the vital need to accelerate decarbonisation timelines. But it stated that a net-zero target by 2050 will only be plausible if governments take the necessary actions.
There were positives to take away from the 77th MEPC, though.
Member States and international organisations were invited to submit concrete proposals for consideration at MEPC 78 in June 2022
A Correspondence Group was also set up to finalise and update guidelines on carbon intensity reduction.
This related to short-term approaches adopted in 2021, consisting of technical (Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index – EEXI) and operational (Carbon Intensity Indicators – CII) measures. These rules look set to come into play in November 2022, with a goal of achieving a 40% reduction of carbon intensity by 2030.
Guidance on ‘innovative energy efficiency technologies’ for calculation and verification of the attained EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) and EEXI, particularly accommodating the use of wind as an alternative and complementary source of propulsion, was also rubber stamped.
Closing the MEPC 77 session, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said: “Strengthening the ambition of the Initial IMO GHG Strategy during its revision will be crucial. Our collective actions must show our dedication to contribute towards the global issue, climate change.”
The drive to utilise wind power is a huge step in the right direction.
Anemoi passionately believe installing Rotor Sails as retrofit or newbuild could be the ideal answer for the maritime community as we wrestle with decarbonisation.
Just last month, in conjunction with Tufton Investment Management Ltd, we scooped the prestigious ‘Wind Propulsion Innovation Award for developers of innovative technology and installations’.
Make sure you read more about our award win here.