Shipping Australia commends the work of the global shipowner associations to reduce greenhouse as (GHG) emissions.
“It’s encouraging to see the world’s shipping associations taking the lead on this important matter of reducing the global carbon footprint of the shipping industry”, Shipping Australia CEO Rod Nairn said.
While shipping is the most environmentally efficient means of long haul freight transport and moves around 90 per cent of global trade, it is responsible for about 2.2 per cent of the world’s GHG emissions and could do better.
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) represents the world’s national shipowner associations and is leading the way and on climate change. In a considered response to the Paris Agreement they have pledged their support for the development of a timeline for the further reduction of the shipping sector’s GHG emissions.
ICS has proposed that the details of a CO2 reduction commitment should be developed on behalf of the sector, as soon as possible, by the industry’s global regulator, the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The goal is to build on the substantial CO2 reductions already achieved by shipping, and the mandatory IMO CO2 reduction regime which is already in force worldwide.
ICS Chairman, Esben Poulsson, explained:
“We wish to see IMO Member States adopt a course similar to that agreed by governments in Paris and which reflects the spirit of the Agreement. This will help IMO Member States to demonstrate they are serious about building on the real progress already made by the shipping industry to reduce CO2. Our hope is that this can be done in a way that will also be acceptable to developing nations whose support will be vital if IMO is to continue making progress on a global basis.”
Further information and the full text of the ICS media release is available at http://www.ics-shipping.org/news/press-releases
Editor’s note:
For additional information contact Rod Nairn, chief executive officer on 0449 902 457.
Shipping Australia is a peak national shipping association comprising 34 member shipping lines and shipping agents that would be involved with over 70 per cent of Australia’s container and car trade, over 60 per cent of our break bulk and bulk trades, and significant cruise ship and tug operations.
