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The heads of seven global shipping associations jointly called for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt the “Net-zero framework” (NZF) during the key vote at the special session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in October. Failure to do so would severely hinder the green transition and could lead the shipping industry into a complex and fragmented predicament of regional climate regulations.
Next week, 176 IMO member states will gather in London, aiming to formally adopt the binding historic climate regulatory agreement reached this April.
The Danish Shipping Association, together with six other shipping associations, jointly voiced support for adopting the IMO’s “Net-zero framework”. Anne H. Steffensen, CEO of the Danish Shipping Association, stated: “The industry supports the net-zero framework. Establishing binding global regulations is crucial for achieving the goal of zero-carbon shipping by 2050. We need global regulations and a level playing field. The alternative to the proposed net-zero framework is a patchwork of complex and disparate regional and national regulations, which is clearly the wrong choice for a global industry.”
Establishing global regulatory provisions is essential for achieving the shipping industry’s zero-carbon emissions target by 2050. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ES | ECSA) have also issued statements expressing support for the “Net-zero framework”.
Anne H. Steffensen pointed out: “Adopting the net-zero framework will strengthen emission reduction actions and investments in sustainable energy, fuels, and technologies. At the same time, it will send the strongest signal to investors and producers, prompting them to scale up alternative fuel production to meet the needs of the shipping industry’s transition to zero emissions.”
The joint statement also calls on the EU, which has the strictest climate regulations, to clearly signal alignment with the IMO after it adopts the net-zero framework, to avoid double charging of shipping emissions and alleviate the industry’s regulatory burden.
The full text of the statement is as follows:
This October, International Maritime Organization (IMO) member states have the opportunity to make history by finalizing the climate regulatory agreement for the shipping industry, making it the first global industry to take such measures.
After years of negotiations, the “Net-zero framework” will provide momentum for the development of global sustainable shipping.
In 2023, the IMO established a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions strategy, clarifying that the global shipping industry must achieve carbon neutrality around 2050. Earlier this year, a preliminary agreement on the regulatory framework necessary to implement this strategy was reached. Currently, this framework urgently needs final adoption at the IMO meeting in London in mid-October.
The “Net-zero framework” specifies concrete requirements for ship emission reductions and establishes a pricing mechanism: penalizing non-compliant behavior and rewarding the use of alternative environmentally friendly fuels, all based on a global fuel standard. These clear global measures will drive the shipping industry to reduce emissions. Crucially, this will strengthen the commercial viability of emission reduction actions and investments in sustainable energy, fuels, and technologies.
The final adoption of this framework at the IMO meeting requires an absolute majority vote from the signatory states of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). A united majority is key to smoothly advancing the agreement. Due to its global nature, the shipping industry urgently needs a global regulation to address climate change.
Global regulation is a necessary condition for achieving the established GHG reduction strategy. It helps reduce emissions, creates a unified and predictable framework for the shipping industry, and sends the strongest signal to investors and producers, prompting them to scale up alternative fuel production to meet the needs of the shipping industry’s transition to zero emissions.
Industry support for the IMO’s “Net-zero framework” is reflected in the official statement from the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the clear endorsement from the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ES | ECSA). The signatories of this statement call on IMO member states to unite and vote in favor of global climate measures.
Let’s take the next step and move together towards the zero-emission target. Let’s make history in London.
