The Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) has expressed its support of the 20 April joint statement by seven leading international shipping organisations, which highlights the vital importance of the upcoming session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
In a relevant announcement, the CSC said that the 84th session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (IMO MEPC 84) due to take place in London from 27 April was an important opportunity for Member States to align their positions, enhance constructive dialogue and contribute to the development of common ground and workable solutions regarding the decarbonisation path of the maritime industry, while ensuring the balance and resilience of global trade.
"The Chamber stresses that a unified and collaborative approach under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is essential to provide the clarity and stability needed by the global shipping industry. Such a framework should provide the regulatory certainty that the shipping sector urgently needs, while sending the necessary messages to energy producers and fuel suppliers to accelerate investments in the production of sustainable alternative marine fuels," the CSC continued.
At the same time, the Chamber underlined the importance of the practical and effective implementation of any new measures, with the aim of achieving the desired reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, while ensuring a fair and equitable transition, as well as a level playing field across the shipping industry. "The absence of a globally harmonised framework risks further fragmentation through regional or unilateral measures, which may lead to increased costs, reduced competitiveness and regulatory uncertainty," it said in its statement.
"IMO Member States, in an effort to reach consensus, to carefully evaluate the alternative proposals submitted to MEPC 84, with the aim of making decisions that will be based on real data and will treat all fuels and technologies equally, taking into account the availability and safety of alternative fuels," it continued, concluding that, "The Cyprus Shipping Chamber remains committed to supporting a sustainable, competitive and internationally harmonised shipping sector, through constructive participation and dialogue, for the benefit of all parties involved."
