At London International Shipping Week, Patrick Verhoeven, Managing Director of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), called on governments and industry stakeholders to adopt the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework (NZF). He cautioned that failing to support the global framework could result in a patchwork of regional measures that would slow down decarbonisation and complicate compliance for the shipping industry.
Call for a Unified Global Approach
Verhoeven warned that without the IMO NZF, the maritime sector risks facing fragmented regulations, such as the EU’s Emission Trading Scheme, which would increase costs and create uncertainty. Instead, he urged nations to commit to a single, global framework that would provide clarity, support innovation, and accelerate the adoption of low- and zero-carbon fuels.
Financing the Transition and Supporting Developing Ports
IAPH has long supported the creation of an international economic mechanism to bridge the cost gap between traditional hydrocarbon fuels and cleaner alternatives. Verhoeven highlighted findings from a commissioned study showing that ports in developing nations will need between USD 55 and 83 billion for decarbonisation and adaptation.
The proposed IMO Net Zero Fund could play a critical role in channeling investments into infrastructure, research, and development, ensuring a just and inclusive transition across all regions.
The IAPH’s strong backing of the IMO Net-Zero Framework underscores the urgency of a coordinated global approach to shipping’s energy transition. By adopting the framework, the maritime sector can avoid regulatory fragmentation, unlock investment certainty, and ensure that developing nations are not left behind in the race toward decarbonisation.
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Source: Safety4Sea
