IMO secretary general Kitack Lim calls for “concrete action” to address climate change
Mr Lim was speaking at the 31st assembly session of IMO said, "In so many areas, we are now at a crossroads. In the next biennium, IMO will need to deliver tangible and concrete action – to ensure our strategies, plans and roadmaps are achieved. I am confident that, together, we can succeed.’’
"The shipping industry is going through fundamental changes as it responds to these challenges."
Mr Lim highlighted the efforts made by IMO member states and stakeholders to pave the way for a harmonised and smooth entry into force of the global sulphur cap (IMO 2020).
Companies are adopting LNG as fuel, introducing VLSFOs and installing scrubbers to comply with the regulation.
This week, Frontline, the world’s largest tanker shipping company said half its fleet would have scrubbers installed by Q2 2020.
However there are signs that not all member states are planning to enforce compliance initially. India’s Mercantine Marine Department indicated that ease of doing business would take priority over enforcing the low sulphur standards in the short term.
On climate change, Mr Lim said member states and the industry could be proud of the adopting the initial IMO strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping in 2018.
He further added "But we must now accelerate progress towards the implementation of the initial strategy, looking at new fuels from renewable and sustainable sources, new methods of propulsion, and new ways of maximising the efficiency of existing propulsion methods."
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