Integration of economic and technical maritime transport sector challenges into International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations
- Authors
- Publication Date
- Jun 12, 2024
- Source
- Hal-Diderot
- Keywords
- Language
- English
- License
- Unknown
- External links
Abstract
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is competente for regulating shipping. Additionally, under the Kyoto Protocol, IMO has been specifically mandated to combat greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by this sector. In this context, the IMO adopted and subsequently revised in 2023 the Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions, along with several measures aimed at encouraging ships to reduce their GHG emissions. These measures are outlined in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), Annex VI.However, decarbonizing this sector is a complex task. Studying these measures helps to understand all the challenges involved in achieving decarbonization while preserving the maritime industry. The two main challenges are economic and technical.The economic challenge is evident due to the importance of maritime transport for global trade. Additionally, the cost of technologies to ensure ship decarbonization underscores this economic aspect. The IMO has integrated these challenges into its Strategy by mandating an assessment of the impact of measures on states and using revenues generated by any IMO measure to mitigate this impact and support states in difficulty. Furthermore, the IMO has addressed this challenge by establishing a progressive timetable for strengthening the intensity of measures, developed at their adoption. This includes all short-term measures (EEDI, EEXI, SEEMP, and CII) as well as medium-term measures under discussion.The technical challenge is visible through two elements. The first is the existence of energy efficiency measures not yet implemented on ships. The second is the difficulty in identifying an alternative fuel with sufficient characteristics to satisfy the maritime industry. These elements highlight another technical issue: the risk of transfert the pollution. Again, the IMO has worked to address these challenges through adopted measures. The first element has been addressed through measures to encourage the implementation of technical or operational measures to enhance ship energy efficiency. Moreover, the IMO has taken into account technical and investment difficulties by establishing a progressive schedule for implementing measures and imposing mild penalties in cases where actors cannot meet prescribed thresholds (CII). As for the "Chicken & Egg" problem, the package of medium-term measures, comprising a Market-Based Measure (MBM) and a GHG intensity limit for fuels, aims to address this issue. This package, applied in conjunction with the Guidelines on the Life Cycle of Fuels, should also help resolve the risk of transfert the pollution.In any case, these challenges need to be highlighted alongside the economic and social challenges of climate change. Faced with the latter, nothing justifies inaction and the absence of measures for decarbonizing maritime transport.
