IBIA reaffirms support for IMO decarbonisation efforts despite MEPC setback

The MEPC Special Session last week “demonstrated that the issue of reducing GHG emissions from ships, and in particular the pricing of emissions, is politically contentious for many countries to the point that achieving a consensus at this stage is not possible,” the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) said in a statement. “It means the draft amendments for consideration will now have to be revised before being tabled again and pausing it for one year.

“IBIA had expected, together with a significant number of international associations, a different outcome of the extraordinary MEPC,” continued the statement. “IBIA supported the adoption of the NZF and were already engaged in crucial work on the detailed guidelines. Meanwhile, a majority of IMO’s Member States weren’t prepared to move ahead, making shipping the first sector with a global regulatory framework to decarbonise.”

IBIA added that a working group meeting taking place at IMO this week to prepare implementing guidelines will see an attempt to “heal the diplomatic scars” of last week.
IBIA says it will “continue to support IMO and its work, and in doing so, representing the views of the whole of the marine energy supply chain.”