Shipowners and labour are joining hands to help ensure the transition away from carbon protects seafarers.
The Just Transition Maritime Task Force sees the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) cooperating with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the United Nations Global Compact to push forward on net-zero shipping.
The group will focus on doing so in a way that protects the industry's workers and their communities while helping them develop new skills for greener shipping and identifying best practices for what they call an "equitable transition".
"We are all about to face the single largest transition in modern times, and all of us will be affected," said ICS secretary general Guy Platten.
"Many of our seafarers come from developing nations, who are witnessing first-hand the effects of climate change. We must ensure they are given the green skills they need to keep global trade moving, and that developing nations can have access to the technologies and infrastructure to be part of shipping’s green transition."
The task force was announced at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, which is expected to influence the IMO's upcoming Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting later this month.
Many countries, including all European Union member states, the US, the UK and Japan, are pushing for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to be more ambitious in its emissions cuts and push for net-zero by 2050.
As it stands, the IMO is targeting a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 versus 2008 levels as well as halving shipping emissions by 2050.
ITF general secretary Stephen Cotton said the task force — which will count the International Labour Organization and the IMO as members, as well — will allow the industry to tackle decarbonisation collaboratively.
"We know that seafarers’ expertise will lead shipping’s green transformation and we look forward to working in the task force to push forward concrete, tangible solutions to decarbonise the sector in a worker-led just transition," Cotton said.
"The move represents the first of its kind for shipping and will provide clear leadership and steer for the industry to coordinate efforts and work with governments, industry, workers and their representatives to ensure a people-centred transition for the maritime industry."
The task force is expected to meet in December to discuss next steps.
