INTERCARGO: Acceleration of R&D needed to reach shipping’s 2050 target

As the world considers the harsh realities highlighted by COP26, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has warned that shipowners can deliver the target of net-zero emission shipping by 2050 but only with an acceleration in the commercial development of relevant technologies, fuels, propulsion systems and related infrastructure.

“INTERCARGO fully supports the drive to achieve zero emission shipping by 2050. However global challenges require global solutions and the commercial development of these solutions is within the control of other stakeholders rather than shipowners,” Dimitrios Fafalios, Chairman of the Association, pointed out.

“We must support the IMO and urge governments to adopt the necessary measures to accelerate R&D of zero-carbon technologies and expedite their deployment. The net-zero target will only be plausible if governments take the necessary action to achieve this. The place to do this is at the IMO.”

His comments follow the formal submission of a paper co-sponsored with ICS, at last month’s IMO Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of Emissions from Ships, which puts forward a comprehensive proposal for a global levy on carbon emissions from ships.

“A levy-based market-based measure, with mandatory climate contributions by ships to an IMO Climate Fund, must be brought into effect quickly to accelerate the uptake and deployment of zero-carbon technologies and fuels,” Fafalios said.

“Good progress towards such medium-term measure was made at IMO’s Intersessional meeting, but this in itself is not enough. We must not jeopardise the 2050 target, and in the short term the approval of the industry proposal, also backed by INTERCARGO, for an International Maritime Research and Development Board (IMRB), in order to accelerate the R&D of zero-carbon technologies is an immediate priority.”

INTERCARGO members are fully behind the drive to more sustainable shipping. Commenting on feedback received during INTERCARGO’s recent semi-annual meetings held in London, Kostas Gkonis, Secretary General of INTERCARGO, said:

“Our members shared their experiences of the use of energy-saving devices, novel technologies, and the operational measures they have been carrying out on bulk carriers to reduce GHG emissions as much as technically and operationally possible.”

While COP26 is seeking answers at the highest level, the IMO will progress the shipping industry’s decarbonisation agenda, with the next meeting of its Marine Environment Protection Committee (IMO MEPC) to take place later this month.