Maritime Industry Leaders Call for Global Action on Decarbonization at UN General Assembly

At the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, maritime business leaders and cargo owners issued a joint statement urging immediate action on maritime decarbonization. The call comes as the shipping industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact.

The statement, delivered at the UN Headquarters in New York, emphasized the need for a global regulatory framework to accelerate the adoption of zero and near-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) fuels in the maritime sector. Industry leaders stressed the importance of effective mid-term measures to bridge the price gap between conventional and green fuels, ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders.

“We encourage all UN Member States to work together towards innovative policies and financial mechanisms to level the playing field between fossil and zero and near-zero GHG marine fuels,” the statement read, highlighting the urgency of scaling up production capacity and infrastructure for sustainable marine fuels.

In a parallel development, INTERCARGO, representing 30% of the global bulk carrier fleet, endorsed a streamlined approach to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) mid-term GHG reduction strategy. The association backed several key measures, including a simplified pricing mechanism and a well-to-wake emissions accounting system.

“The path to shipping’s decarbonization must be paved with practical, implementable solutions,” said INTERCARGO’s Secretary General, Kostas Gkonis. “Our support for these measures reflects our sector’s commitment to environmental responsibility whilst maintaining operational efficiency and smooth global transportation of essential goods”.

As the maritime industry tackles the challenges of decarbonization, these developments highlight the growing consensus for collaborative, global action to achieve sustainable shipping.