EXCLUSIVE: BAR calls for global carbon rules

The company argues that a single global carbon framework for shipping must be simple, predictable and universally applied.

“The most practical structure would be a globally administered carbon pricing mechanism, most likely a fuel levy combined with harmonised well-to-wake lifecycle emissions accounting and a transparent revenue governance structure under the IMO,” BAR Technologies told The Motorship.

The UK-based maritime technology firm said shipping’s global nature makes fragmented systems inefficient. With the EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime, the postponed IMO Net-Zero Framework and proposed greenhouse gas fuel intensity measures all in play, shipowners face what it described as competitive distortions, carbon leakage and administrative duplication.

“A global system would need three essential elements,” BAR Technologies said, listing ‘a uniform carbon price signal applied at bunker purchase level’, standardised lifecycle emissions accounting and revenue recycling to fund alternative fuel infrastructure and support developing states.

On reconciling European measures with future global rules, the company said the IMO should introduce mutual recognition mechanisms to prevent double charging, align monitoring and reporting systems, and define a transitional phase to allow regional schemes to converge. “Without this, the industry risks long-term fragmentation, higher compliance costs and distorted investment signals,” it warned.

BAR Technologies also highlighted mounting financial pressure. “EU ETS exposure alone can amount to several million dollars per vessel annually,” it said, noting added risks from FuelEU penalties and charterparty cost-sharing disputes.

The result, it argued, is investment hesitation. “In the absence of a clear, predictable global carbon price, owners are gravitating toward ‘least-regret’ solutions rather than committing to more transformative technologies.”

The company said a durable global framework would unlock large-scale investment in wind propulsion, alternative fuels and efficiency technologies.