Intercargo: mid-term measures should be simple

Dr Gkonis was commenting on the IMO’s 15th session of the Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships in support of the paper submitted by ICS “ISWG-GHG 15/3/7 – Further information about a basket of measures combining an IMSF&R (Fund and Reward) mechanism (economic measure) and a Global (GHG) Fuel Standard (technical measure)”. 

Regarding medium-term measures, Dr Gkonis reiterated INTERCARGO’s support for MEPC to take forward and implement mandatory market-based measures for international shipping. INTERCARGO was a frontrunner along with ICS in putting forward a levy-based MBM, per tonne of CO2 emissions, to expedite the uptake and deployment of zero-carbon fuels.

“Since then, our Association has consistently supported in principle the revised proposals aptly developed by the industry body, the International Chamber of Shipping,” he said.

“On this occasion, INTERCARGO reiterates the importance that the basket of mid-term measures should be both simple and effective, so as to be efficiently implemented by ships worldwide.

“In this respect we express our support for the revised International Maritime Sustainability Fund & Reward mechanism, including the establishment of an IMO Maritime Sustainability Fund as in paper ISWG-GHG 15/3/7 by ICS and its combination with a simpler design of the Global GHG Fuel Standard, a technical measure as in document ISWG-GHG 15/3/6 again by ICS.”

The IMO is currently in the process of revising its Green House Gas (GHG) Strategy and the much anticipated MEPC 80 meeting will take place from 3-7 July.