Net Zero Shipping

The IMO’s intersessional working group on greenhouse gas reduction met last week in London.

Over 1000 delegates were registered for a politically charged series of discussions trying find common ground for the proposed amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, known colloquially as the IMO Net Zero Framework.

Formal discussions centred on five key areas:

1. The Greenhouse Gas Fuel Intensity (GFI) calculation, reporting and verification.
2. The GFI reduction pathway, and how steep it should be.
3. Approaches to ensuring GFI compliance.
4. The establishment of an IMO Net Zero Fund, or facility.
5. Reward Mechanisms for using Zero and Near Zero fuels.

Many of the hundreds of statements made by flag Delegations included hints at flexibility in various policy positions, but clear consensus was not evident.  Notwithstanding, many side-bar conversations allowed the exploring of where compromises may indeed be found.

Administrative Burden of the Net Zero Framework

Many delegations raised concerns regarding the administrative burden of reporting activities likely to be imposed by the detailed procedures necessary to comply with the proposed MARPOL Annex VI amendments (focussed on GHG reduction).  However, the majority of these administrative concerns centred on flag State and flag Administration burdens.  The Nautical Institute will work closely with IMO members to ensure that due account is also taken regarding additional workload for seafarers, many of whom will not have the same degree of GHG-reduction and accounting expertise when compared to specialists ashore.

The Nautical Institute was represented by Capt Chris O’Flaherty AFNI.