Leading maritime companies should share their decarbonisation efforts with the International Maritime Organization, and the industry as a whole, while the industry should stop patting itself on the back about the agreement of the revised decarbonisation strategy last year, argues Arsenio Dominguez, IMO secretary general.
Offering his thoughts at Singapore Maritime Week, Dominguez reiterated that there is no simple answer to the decarbonisation of the industry despite the questions he frequently gets.
“I cannot give you a silver bullet,” he told his audience. “You will continue to ask me which is the fuel, which is the technology, and we will continue to try different fuels and different technologies.”
But he said those companies that are forging ahead with fuel trials and technology concepts should share their experiences for the better of the industry and to help speed up the transition.
“Those that can or are taking action now should share with others how you’re doing,” he said.
“I know it is a competitive market, but we are all in this together, and there are actions and experiences that can be shared, to contribute to this (decarbonisation) process.”
“Use the IMO in that respect,” he urged, saying that the organisation is the best place to share these experiences as it brings together 176 countries plus industry representatives, non-government organisations, including from environment sectors and civil society.
“They all come, they all express their opinions and everybody has the right to express their opinion. And it’s our duty to explain why we’re moving in a particular way at a particular speed.”
IMO member states are currently evaluating the measures that have been proposed to achieve the revised decarbonisation strategy that was agreed last year, with Dominguez suggesting the industry should avoid becoming complacent.
“It’s time to stop patting ourselves on the back because of that,” he warned. “It’s going to be a year old in a few months.”
