Logistics
Five shipping associations are pitching a carbon levy of sorts this week in London as International Maritime Organization (IMO) member states meet to discuss short term measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions from shipping.
The shipping organisations, which include Bimco and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), are pushing for a bunker fuel levy to go to a decarbonisation research and development fund.
“We have been working on this for quite some time with the aim of developing some really innovative ideas in cooperation with fellow industry associations,” ICS chairman Esben Poulsson told Splash today, stressing that the concept was still a work in progress.
Carbon levies have been back in shipping headlines in recent months.
Speaking at the Global Maritime Forum’s annual summit in Singapore last month, Andreas Sohmen-Pao, chairman of BW Group, said: “To meet international shipping’s decarbonisation challenge, the maritime industry needs a carbon levy, it is coming, and we should shape it.”
The BW boss continued: “We have an opportunity to shape a new maritime future, create a new business opportunity and drive innovation. A maritime green fund could accelerate decarbonization in shipping, support scaling and infrastructure to deliver new fuels, while taking into consideration the impact on trade and developing states.”
