A European Commission (EC) executive has asked the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to take action to ease frustration over shipping emissions.
Jos Delbeke, director general of DG Climate Action of EC, made it clear that, according to the Paris Agreement, all sectors have to contribute to reduced emissions.
“EU institutions are nervous about the IMO not being proactive enough,” Delbeke said.
“The best reply to this frustration would be the IMO to take action.”
Representatives from the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) were quick to respond to Delbeke’s remarks.
Panos Laskaridis and Niels Smedegaard told Delbeke that shipowners feel the same frustration over European policies.
ECSA is a vocal supporter of emissions regulation within the IMO and strongly opposes the newly adapted European emissions trading scheme (ETS).
Delbeke welcomed IMO’s pledge to develop a new strategy of de-carbonization by 2018 but added an exact target should be set.
ETS a long process
Regulation over emissions was the main subject of discussion during the European Shipping Week (ESW).
However, European executives told TradeWinds it is going to be a very complex process, with the first set of “real discussion” over ETS scheduled for this summer.
Laskaridis added: “When we debate over international versus regional regulation we have to take it further to other areas.
“Do we want this division in trade or education or transfer of information as well? We most certainly don’t.”
