Achieving Regulatory Harmony : IMO Chief Urges Alignment With Global Standards

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  • Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), emphasizes the importance of aligning European Union (EU) regulations on shipping emissions with global IMO standards.
  • Amidst the complexities of new EU regulations like the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime, Dominguez advocates for a unified approach to regulatory frameworks to ensure consistency and effectiveness in addressing greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector.

Dominguez highlights the challenges faced by stakeholders in navigating the intricate landscape of EU regulations, particularly in light of the rapid implementation of measures such as the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime. While acknowledging the proactive stance of the EU, Dominguez underscores the necessity for EU regulations to complement rather than diverge from IMO standards to ensure regulatory coherence and facilitate global emission reduction efforts.

Global vs. Regional Regulatory Frameworks

Amid debates over the potential influence of EU regulations on the IMO’s decision-making process, Dominguez reiterates the importance of maintaining a unified global regulatory framework for the maritime industry. Emphasizing the need for harmonization, he advocates for aligning regional regulations, such as FuelEU Maritime, with broader global initiatives to maximize effectiveness and minimize fragmentation in regulatory approaches.

Timeline and Implementation Strategies

With the impending enforcement of regional GHG fuel standards under FuelEU Maritime, Dominguez provides insights into the timeline for IMO’s mid-term measures. He emphasizes adherence to international law and outlines the planned adoption and implementation schedule for IMO regulations, aiming for harmonized and universally applicable standards across member states.

Lifecycle Guidelines for Marine Fuels

As the IMO finalizes guidelines for assessing marine fuels’ GHG intensities across their lifecycle, Dominguez underscores the importance of standardized methodologies for calculating emission factors. These guidelines aim to provide clarity and consistency in evaluating the environmental footprint of various marine fuels, supporting informed decision-making by industry stakeholders.

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Source: Engine