Wed 12 Jul 2017 06:21

ECSA hails 'important progress' on CO2 reduction at MEPC 71


Verhoeven says there is 'a strong will from the European shipowners to decarbonise the industry'.



The European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) says it believes "important progress" was made last week at the International Maritime Organziation's (IMO) 71st Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting in London.

In the meeting, a plan was agreed to develop a CO2 reduction strategy in line with the Paris COP21 Agreement on climate change. An initial strategy for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from the international shipping is set to be further developed in the next meeting of October 2017, and the next MEPC 72 meeting is expected to adopt it in 2018.

Commenting on the news, the ECSA said: "The industry believes this should lay out a clear vision and short and medium term measures and quantified CO2 reduction objectives for the sector."

"We are confident that IMO will now be able to deliver an ambitious strategy at the next IMO working group meeting in October. There is certainly a strong will from the European shipowners to decarbonise the industry," said Patrick Verhoeven, ECSA's Secretary General. "We are prepared to play our part in limiting greenhouse gas emission and we were pleased to see there was a general willingness among governments to commit to developing a strategy as well," he added.

In a submission to last week's MEPC meeting made by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and other shipping associations, it was proposed that the IMO should adopt a number of CO2 reduction objectives on behalf of the international shipping sector.

Specifically, the submission proposed that the sector's total CO2 emissions should not increase above 2008 levels, thus establishing 2008 as the year of peak emissions from shipping, and that IMO should agree upon a percentage by which the total emissions from the sector might reduce by 2050.

Image: Patrick Verhoeven, Secretary General of the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA).


Lease agreement between Inter Terminals Sweden and the Port of Gothenburg, signed on July 1st. Pictured: Göran Eriksson, CEO of the Port of Gothenburg (left) and Johan Zettergren, Managing Director of Inter Terminals Sweden (right). New Gothenburg lease an opportunity to expand green portfolio: Inter Terminals  

Bunker terminal operator eyes tank conversion and construction projects for renewable products.

Map of US Gulf. Peninsula extends US Gulf operation offshore  

Supplier to focus on Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) in strategy to serve growing client base.

The M/T Jutlandia Swan, operated by Uni-Tankers. Uni-Tankers vessel gets wind-assisted propulsion  

Fourth tanker sails with VentoFoil units as manufacturer says suction wing technology is gaining traction.

Port of Gothenburg Energy Port. Swedish biomethane bunkered in Gothenburg  

Test delivery performed by St1 and St1 Biokraft, who aim to become large-scale suppliers.

Image from Cockett Marine Oil presentation. Cockett to be closed down after 45 years  

End of an era as shareholders make decision based on 'non-core nature' of Cockett's business.

Petrobras logo. Petrobras confirms prompt availability of VLS B24 at Rio Grande  

Lead time for barge deliveries currently five days.

Opening of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), 83rd Session, April 7, 2025. IMO approves pricing mechanism based on GHG intensity thresholds  

Charges to be levied on ships that do not meet yearly GHG fuel intensity reduction targets.

Preemraff Göteborg, Preem's wholly owned refinery in Gothenburg, Sweden. VARO Energy expands renewable portfolio with Preem acquisition  

All-cash transaction expected to complete in the latter half of 2025.

Pictured: Biofuel is supplied to NYK Line's Noshiro Maru. The vessel tested biofuel for Tohoku Electric Power in a landmark first for Japan. NYK trials biofuel in milestone coal carrier test  

Vessel is used to test biofuel for domestic utility company.

Pictured (from left): H-Line Shipping CEO Seo Myungdeuk and HJSC CEO Yoo Sang-cheol at the contract signing ceremony for the construction of an 18,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel. H-Line Shipping orders LNG bunkering vessel  

Vessel with 18,000-cbm capacity to run on both LNG and MDO.


↑  Back to Top