Global Maritime Environmental Congress (gmec)

Global Maritime Environmental Congress (gmec)

Theme: setting a green course towards zero emissions

Keynote address by Kitack Lim, Secretary-General

7 September 2022

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you, Bernd, for your introduction.

We are all aware that shipping is invaluable to global trade and economic growth and that shipping's ability to transport large quantities of goods over vast distances in a cost-efficient manner is irrefutable.

But shipping must continue to evolve to address the global imperative to tackle climate change; to serve the world's energy transition; and to keep pace with technological advances which bring opportunities and challenges.

Over the years, the Global Maritime Environmental Congress has provided a welcome forum to discuss these themes and I am pleased to be able to speak to you at the start of this year's gathering.

IMO's actions to facilitate decarbonization of shipping

At IMO, our focus is on ensuring that these changes and challenges are supported by an enhanced and strengthened global regulatory framework.

But the need to cut emissions is not new to our agenda. The first mandatory global measures to improve ships' energy efficiency were introduced more than a decade ago, in 2011, and have been strengthened since. The latest set of amendments to bring in carbon intensity measures for all ships will enter into force on 1 November.

They were inspired by IMO's initial GHG strategy, which was adopted in 2018 with a clear vision to phase out GHG emissions from international shipping as soon as possible in this century, and by at least 50% by 2050. A revised, strengthened strategy is being developed now and is set to be adopted in July 2023.

Shipping has embarked on a green voyage. In line with the objectives of the 2015 Paris Agreement, the Glasgow Climate Pact adopted during COP 26 last year and the forecasts in the most recent IPCC climate reports, we must act now to accelerate action to set the path for shipping's decarbonization.

As we revise the IMO GHG Strategy, we must take on board that the impacts of climate change disproportionately affect developing countries, in particular Small Islands Developing States and Least Developed Countries.

In response, IMO and all its Member States must make sure that policies and measures do not deepen the existing divide between developed and developing countries. We are encouraging discussions which explore the opportunities for developing countries to find ways to accelerate renewable fuel production that can also serve to accelerate their transition to low-carbon economies.

This is in line with this year's World Maritime theme of "New technologies for greener shipping". Later this month, IMO will host the IMO-UNEP-Norway Innovation Forum, aiming to champion inclusive innovation for decarbonizing the maritime sector. Then, in October, the Second IMO Symposium on low- and zero-carbon fuels for shipping will address how to ensure a just and inclusive transition towards low-carbon shipping.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the voyage towards zero-emission shipping is everyone's responsibility.

IMO Member States have initiated discussions on a maximum carbon-content for marine fuels alongside market-based measures, such as a GHG levy, ETS, feebates or an incentive scheme to encourage development of zero-emission vessels and global availability of zero-carbon fuels.

These measures are designed to incentivize technology development, innovation and R&D into low- and zero-carbon fuels and to facilitate a smooth transition towards their use, ensuring no one is left behind in a "just and equitable transition" approach.

Further, with this voyage together in mind, IMO has initiated several technical cooperation projects that aim to support developing countries, in particular Small Islands Developing States and Least Developed Countries, in building the necessary human, institutional and technological capacity to domesticate and implement the regulatory measures.

Here at SMM, I have been very impressed and encouraged by the many initiatives at different levels, , targeting various segments of the shipping ecosystem, working to find innovative ways to reduce GHG emissions from ships.

We cannot deny the challenges ahead in decarbonizing an entire international transport sector.

It has never been done before and the actions taken by Governments and the shipping sector to decarbonize are under scrutiny. The world is watching us.

But we are responding and there is reason for optimism. We should grasp the opportunities for us all to work together for a greener future for all. We need everyone involved to be proactive in sharing their knowledge and experiences.

By working together collaboratively and cooperatively, we can make shipping's voyage towards zero emissions a smooth one. The transition can enable the sector to reconnect with young generations in all regions of the world, many of whose future careers will feature renewable energy generation and energy efficiency technology.

A greener, resilient maritime industry is not only an opportunity for a sector that binds us all together – it is a necessity for sustainable development and to ensure we meet our global ambitions and goals to secure the needs of future generations.

In this scaling up of our efforts, R&D collaboration, information sharing, and capacity-building will be key to ensure that no one is left behind in the push for the decarbonization of the shipping sector.

Yesterday, I joined a two-hour tour though the exhibition. I compared the atmosphere between now and the last SMM and I see a much more positive outlook.

Everyone recognized that we need to be proactive. I see a huge development in the technology available not only in the hardware but also software, and a lot of R&D for future fuels and propulsion. Still there is work to be done.

We, the governments, and industry – shipping, ports manufacturers, bunkering services – we all need to work together and connect all efforts towards decarbonization.

IMO will adopt a revised GHG strategy by mid-2023. This is our pledge but there is not much time. We must work together to reach this goal.

With this, I wish you a successful conference today. You have an excellent programme that addresses alternative fuels and different ship propulsion options, as well as how to nurture innovation and navigate this transition.

Thank you.