The IMO has laid out the framework for reaching low-carbon targets. It includes reducing the GHG produced by vessels by 40% by 2030. Following that, the IMO is working toward further reductions down to 70% in next two decades.

The IMO has mandated that vessels in transit must have a regulated Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (Seemp), and vessels constructed in 2022 have to be at least 30% cleaner than those built a decade prior.

Vessel operators and shipbuilders are working toward near-term deadlines for fleet improvement, speed optimisation and carbon reduction. Those same companies have longer-term, zero-carbon targets, utilising market incentives such as levies and offsetting.

United European Car Carriers (UECC), which provides short-sea ro-ro services for vehicle makers, recently published a report that forecasts that vessels calling at ports in the European Economic Area (EEA) risk exceeding emissions targets as soon as 2023.

There are number of initiatives underway to help counter that. They include proposals to put shipping in the EU’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), a scheme to incentivise the fight against global warming.

Last year’s Ship Zero conference, organised by the Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association (Zesta), revealed how important maritime transport was in limiting global warming, something that has been recognised by international authorities.