A significant push is underway for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to formally embed wind propulsion within its proposed Net-Zero Framework (NZF), ahead of the MEPC’s 2nd Extraordinary Session (MEPC/ES.2).
Recognition of Wind Propulsion
BAR Technologies and the International Windship Association (IWSA) are leading the call for the IMO to formally recognize wind propulsion as a key, zero-emission component of the NZF. They stress that upcoming decisions will determine whether the shipping industry commits to meaningful decarbonization or faces “delay and uncertainty.”
- Zero-Emission Status: The core argument, highlighted in the IWSA’s submission, is that “Wind is free at source and the only truly zero-emission energy available at scale to the global fleet today.”
- Decisive Moment: Technology providers, sustainability advocates, and industry coalitions believe that consistent and formal recognition of wind energy is essential to establish a practical, cost-effective, and equitable path to net-zero.
- Litmus Test for Neutrality: IWSA sees the consistent treatment of wind as a “litmus test for the IMO’s commitment to technology and energy-source neutrality.”
Building a Consistent Framework
The NZF’s potential to provide certainty, unlock finance, and accelerate innovation relies heavily on consistent accounting across all zero-emission technologies. Failure to do so risks distorting technology uptake and funding allocation.
- Clarity and Cohesion: Given the “significant” workload required to implement the NZF—including lifecycle assessments, compliance guidelines, and the design of funding and pricing mechanisms—it is crucial to integrate wind from the outset, rather than treating it as a late-stage addition.
- Global Signal: By systematically including wind, the IMO can deliver a framework that is neutral, transparent, and fair, positioning wind alongside alternative fuels and other energy efficiency solutions.
Practical Path Forward Principles
Industry consensus is crystallizing around four key principles to ensure wind propulsion’s successful inclusion:
- Neutrality, not Exceptions: Wind must be recognized as a zero-carbon energy source with full inclusion in all intensity and compliance frameworks.
- Data and Verification: IWSA proposes streamlined methods to capture and validate wind energy contributions through the IMO Data Collection System.
- Fair Access to Funding: Wind propulsion should be proportionately rewarded within the NZF Fund to support early fleet-scale adoption.
- Scalability and Co-Benefits: Wind offers inherent advantages, including immediate fuel savings, operational resilience, and emissions reductions for both newbuilds and retrofits.
- Maintain a Global Lane: A unified NZF is preferred over fragmented national regimes to ensure competitiveness and clarity for all industry actors.
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Source: Safety4sea
