European shipowners have criticised the IMO’s decision to delay adoption of the Net-Zero Framework (NZF), warning that the move risks slowing investment in the fuels needed for shipping’s energy transition.
The framework — which would mark the first global carbon pricing mechanism for any industrial sector — was meant to provide clarity for shipowners and send a market signal for large-scale clean fuel production.
“We regret today’s postponement of the adoption of the international climate agreement for shipping,” said Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA). “The IMO Net-Zero Framework is essential to give the industry the certainty it needs and to send a strong signal to the market to produce the clean fuels necessary to get to net zero.”
Raptis added that only a truly global regulatory regime can ensure fair competition as shipping decarbonises. “Global regulation is essential to ensure a level playing field at international level and to deliver the energy transition of international shipping,” he said.
ECSA said it remains committed to working with international partners to secure agreement on the framework when it returns to the IMO agenda next year.
