Shipowners' organisation Bimco has broadly welcomed the European Union's new Green Deal on decarbonisation, but has opposed the inclusion of shipping in the continent's emissions-trading scheme (ETS).
The group said it agreed with the EU that "climate change is a global issue that requires mobilisation of partners internationally".
The deal was launched on Wednesday by new EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
It includes a law to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050.
Other measures include a 50% to 55% emissions reduction target for 2030 and a fund worth €100bn ($111bn) to finance the transition.
This compares to a 40% target set by the IMO for 2030, and a 50% cut by 2050.
The commission also said taxes on fossil fuels and transport will be on the table.
Bimco said it is an important policy document outlining "many elements which may contribute to decarbonisation of society. It includes initiatives concerning all sectors of society, including international shipping".
ETS move opposed
Its one reservation came with the inclusion of shipping in the ETS, a carbon market where emissions limits are set and emission units are traded.
"If a market-based measure were to be considered for international shipping, it should be at the global level at IMO, and other more appropriate options than ETS should be considered – such as a levy on carbon emissions," Bimco said.
But it said it applauded the "ambition of Europe to ramp up production of sustainable alternative transport fuel and accelerate the deployment of zero- and low-emission ships".
Could be counterproductive
The International Chamber of Shipping said: "We of aware of the political importance and good intentions that the new commission attaches to these initiatives. Our fear is that these could actually be counterproductive to achieving the paramount objective of reducing the global industry’s total carbon emissions as soon as possible."
The ICS added that, with the full support and goodwill of non-EU governments, IMO is now making good progress on implementing its strategy for the entire world fleet.
"If the EU proceeds with regional measures, for application to non-EU flag ships calling at EU ports, this could undermine the positive momentum that now exists at IMO," the organisation said.
The ICS noted that the IMO is about to embark on serious talks on CO2 reduction, including a move toward zero-carbon fuels.
"We believe serious CO2 reduction from international shipping can only be achieved by developing global solutions at the IMO," the group said.
