The International Maritime Organization (IMO) succeeded today to approve the medium-term measures aimed at reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from ships, following months of intense negotiations.
There are serious concerns about the feasibility of the targets set, especially since this agreement was passed by a narrow majority of 63 Member-States, with several countries expressing reservations.
Due to conflicting interests and different priorities of groups of Member-States and in an effort to reconcile them, the international agreement reached comprises both positive and problematic elements.
In this context the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Ms. Melina Travlos, states:
“We welcome, among other, the recognition of the “polluter pays” principle and the transfer of the compliance costs to the commercial operator of the ship.
However, the fact that the agreement does not acknowledge the vital role of transitional fuels, such as LNG, and treats them in an unfair way, undermines pertinent investments and the industry’s efforts to decarbonise.
Despite these challenges, Greek shipping remains fully committed to being at the forefront in the industry’s transition to decarbonisation, through viable, fit-for-purpose, but realistic global solutions.”
