Significant progress is anticipated in the decarbonization of shipping in 2025, says Daniel Barcarolo the Head of Regulatory Affairs at Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.
Decarbonizing Shipping: Progress & Challenges
Exciting developments may arise as early as April with the potential agreement on MARPOL amendments at MEPC 83. These amendments aim to regulate ship emissions on a well-to-wake basis, with a deadline set for phasing out fossil energy by 2050 and implementation beginning in 2027. Additionally, a robust agreement on further revisions to the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) short-term measures is also expected.
However, achieving these milestones is only part of a longer journey to ensure the effectiveness of such regulations. While the MARPOL amendments outline the framework, their implementation hinges on the guidelines still under review. Agreement on ambition levels and regulatory frameworks at MEPC 83 must be complemented by a focus on practical and implementable guidelines.
MEPC 83 will establish political ambitions and general principles, but the post-MEPC 83 phase will emphasize the feasibility of these regulations. Fine-tuning the guidelines will be essential to ensure the regulations are both ambitious and practical.
Key considerations for IMO member states will include data collection, verification processes, certification requirements, sustainable energy documentation, allocation of responsibilities, and adjustments to instruments like DCS and SEEMP. Additionally, new regulatory elements such as fund collection, distribution, and compliance trading will need to be addressed.
Non-compliance with the MTM regulations could lead to significant penalties, ranging from thousands to millions of US dollars per ship. Therefore, ensuring both ambitious goals and practical implementation is crucial.
At the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, the focus has been on post-MEPC 83 actions. While advocating for ambitious agreements, the Center continues to work on practical implementation strategies and will share further details as IMO negotiations progress.
A detailed timeline for the STM remains uncertain due to ongoing work within the Correspondence Group, but developments will be shared as progress continues.
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Source: Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping
