IMO's Lim calls for 'concrete progress' in shipping decarbonisation measures at MEPC
The International Maritime Organisation's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 78) is holding a virtual meeting this week to discuss measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping.
PHOTO: The International Maritime Organisation's headquarters in London. IMO
“We need to work together, embracing multilateralism in addressing climate change and promoting regional and international cooperation to strengthen climate action,” IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim said in his opening remarks on Monday.
“It is therefore of utmost importance that IMO continues to deliver concrete progress in transitioning international shipping from fossil fuels to low and zero-carbon alternatives,” he added.
The committee consider a set of guidelines finalised by the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG) to support implementation of carbon intensity measures.
These guidelines are seen as an important step towards promoting uptake of alternative fuels and to regulate their content of carbon and other GHGs. The guidelines are set to come into effect in November this year.
Other key topics up for discussion include approvals of draft amendments to MARPOL, marine plastic pollution from ships, ballast water management, guidelines for sampling, inspection, survey and certification of anti-fouling systems on ships.
