IMO: much is done, but more to achieve
In its fourth greenhouse study, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) states that in the period between 2008 and 2018, maritime trade grew by 40% and the absolute emissions of greenhouse gases decreased by around 5%.
This decoupling was due to the significant improvement in the carbon intensity of maritime transport (carbon emissions per transport unit, in tx miles), which was 30% lower in 2018 than in 2008. However, the study also shows that improvements in the energy efficiency of ships powered by conventional fuels will not be enough to eliminate carbon emissions completely.
Developing zero-emission technologies continues to be essential to achieve the IMO-agreed target of reducing absolute emissions by 50% by 2050. The proposal presented by the shipping industry itself to establish a fuel tax to provide a fund to boost the effort necessary R&D has precisely this objective.
“This study can be used to identify what we need to do to achieve the ambition level of the IMO strategy. Now the shipping industry needs research and development, to make emission-free technologies a commercial reality,” said Lars Robert Pedersen, Bimco undersecretary general. (mw)