Symposium on measures for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from shipping -Türkiye

Symposium on measures for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from shipping - Türkiye 

6 FEBRUARY 2023

NATIONAL MARITIME SAFETY CENTRE (UDEB), TEKİRDAĞ, Türkiye 

Recorded video message

Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, IMO

Theme: setting a green course towards zero emissions

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Maritime transport continues to be the most economic and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation for large volumes of cargo. This is a certainty, even in uncertain times.

Nonetheless as the whole world unites to fight climate change, the biggest challenge facing shipping is reducing its GHG emissions, so I congratulate you on hosting this symposium which focuses on that vital theme, which is also high on IMO's agenda.

I commend the Government of Türkiye for its maritime leadership, clearly shown in both the organization of this symposium and in Türkiye's consistent commitment, as an IMO Council Member, to IMO's efforts to ensure safe, secure, environmentally sound, and efficient international shipping.

As the global regulator for shipping, IMO continues to be tasked with ensuring the maritime sector delivers cargo safely, securely and sustainably around the world, with continuous improvements in efficiency.

This year, we mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the IMO Convention, which established the Organization.

Through these decades, the international regulatory regime adopted by IMO and its Member States has constantly evolved to keep up with lessons learned from incidents and new demands – such as the imperatives to tackle climate change and to accommodate changing technology. 

This year we are also celebrating 50 years since the MARPOL convention was first adopted in 1973 to protect the marine environment from pollution from ships. That is why our World Maritime theme for this year is "MARPOL at 50 – our commitment goes on".

MARPOL regulations have made a difference to how ships are built, designed and operated, and its rules have been adapted over the years to ensure the marine environment is protected, including from GHG emissions.

MARPOL has made a difference to the marine environment – and will continue to do so.

As we move forward through this decade, shipping must embrace decarbonization, digitalization and innovative technology including automation – all the while ensuring the human element is kept front and centre of the technological transition.

IMO Member States are currently actively engaged in the process of revising the Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, which was adopted in 2018.

We will see the adoption of a revised Strategy this year, during the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) session in July. There is no doubt that the revised GHG Strategy will set the framework for the way forward in support of decarbonizing shipping.

This will build on the work to date to cut GHG emissions from shipping through mandatory energy efficiency regulations, which were first adopted more than a decade ago, in 2011. So, the voyage towards decarbonization has already begun.

The latest set of measures to cut carbon intensity of shipping are now in force and I am convinced these will drive innovation towards transforming shipping.

Member States are engaged in developing a basket of candidate mid-term measures, including technical and economic elements, that will set global shipping on an ambitious path towards phasing out GHG emissions. 

I am encouraged to see that Member States have committed to identify priority measures to be further developed, including an economic measure, by MEPC 80.

IMO is, in tandem, working to support Member States in the implementation of these measures, to ensure that no one is left behind in this transition towards a decarbonized future for shipping.

I see great opportunities for countries to be part of the new green future that will see low and zero-carbon fuels being produced and supplied in many countries. Other countries benefit from opportunities such as an uptake of retrofitting and ship building activities. IMO will support this process.

We cannot take our hand off the throttle. The cooperation and dialogue that is the trademark of IMO will be more important than ever for the MEPC in delivering what is expected of the Organization to address not only climate change, but also biodiversity loss and marine pollution.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

It is clear, then, that this symposium comes at an important time, and I am confident that Türkiye will be instrumental in the efforts of the IMO to achieve an ambitious revised GHG Strategy at MEPC 80.

Shipping has undergone many successful transitions over the centuries and has voyaged through to new beginnings.

The waters may be stormy at times, but I am convinced that we will, together, through cooperation, collaboration and partnership, ensure that this evolution is achieved and that it is just and equitable.

I also remain confident about the future of shipping and the maritime sector as it continues to evolve, and I am positive about shipping's desire to contribute to improving the health of the planet and to support sustainable development for all. 

I wish you a successful symposium today.

Thank you.