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ICS and BIMCO hit back in environmental tit for tat

Two leading shipowning organisations have hit back at allegations carried on this site yesterday that they are holding back the environmental debate at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

A study published yesterday by London-based non-profit organisation InfluenceMap claimed corporations have “unmatched” power to shape regulations at the United Nations’ shipping body, the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The report – Corporate capture of the IMO – was timed for release to coincide with the start of the next round of IMO climate talks kicking off this week.

The 38-page report claimed big business and major shipping trade groups are “actively and collectively” obstructing global climate change policy at the IMO. Major flags of convenience as well as BIMCO, the World Shipping Council and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) are highlighted as barriers to getting more stringent, timely environmental rules in place.

Esben Poulsson, the chairman of ICS, has disputed the study, telling Splash that his organisation has been leading, not hindering, talks to cut shipping emissions.

“The position we are taking at the IMO meeting this week is public and transparent,” Poulsson said, adding: “Far from seeking to derail progress it was the shipping industry which played a large part in persuading IMO member states to develop a strategy to address the further reduction of the sector’s emissions following the adoption of the Paris Agreement.”

InfluenceMap’s assertions that companies were piggybacking on government delegations at IMO were dismissed as well by Poulsson, who is also the president of the Singapore Shipping Association.

“It’s normal practice for national shipping industry experts to provide advice on technical issues to their government representatives by joining national governments delegations at IMO meetings, but these also commonly comprise representatives from national seafarers’ unions and environmental NGOs as well,” Poulsson pointed out.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for BIMCO echoed Poulsson’s comments, saying the association’s position on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction had been transparent and was leading the industry towards a greener future.

“BIMCO’s position on GHG reduction is fully transparent and clearly demonstrates that we welcome the roadmap for the reduction of GHG emissions by international shipping. Further, we have been active in setting out realistic proposals to drive international shipping towards a meaningful reduction in GHG emissions. Our position has been set out in various submissions to IMO, most recently to MEPC 71. These submissions are open and freely available,” the spokesperson told Splash.

IMO member states are meeting this week in the latest round of climate talks with clear divisions emerging. While Scandinavian and Pacific nations are pushing for dramatic emission cuts, others such as Brazil, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, and India are keen to delay any firm emission cut commitments.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

Comments

  1. These companies are probably supporters of advancements in regulations.

    However, I find it fracical that the IMO can seriously adopt fuel consumption as a measurement of emissions for their controls. Anyone with any experience with engines knows that they are all at different stages in terms of efficiency & maintenance. If it was this simple then we could use this on cars.

    The other joke is to use drones to measure emissions, as supported by EMSA. Given the recent hurricanes, I would love to see how a drone could measure emissions over a stack!!!

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