At the recent IMO MEPC 83 meeting, Member States assumed responsibility and agreed on a medium-term greenhouse gas reduction measure that differs from the levy-based approach dry bulk shipping organisation Intercargo and its industry partners have advocated for some time.
Intercargo Secretary General, Kostas Gkonis said, “Intercargo is concerned about the complexity of the measure taken forward by IMO, disregarding calls for a simple, practical and therefore predictable, enforceable, and effective approach. Despite these challenges, our Association remains committed to supporting the IMO process and its implementation. We will make every effort to help the industry progress toward the fair and practical transition required for international shipping and the dry bulk sector.”
Intercargo will continue providing constructive input to IMO as this work progresses, aligned with IMO’s ambition to achieve decarbonisation goals for international shipping as the global regulator. It says that the industry needs global solutions that are transparent and simple to administer, especially for the small and medium-sized companies that form its backbone, rather than fragmented regional measures.
Nevertheless, Intercargo welcomes the progress made by Member States in reaching a decision at IMO. As the voice of the dry bulk shipping sector—regarded as the largest by number of vessels and deadweight tonnage, with bulk carriers serving as the backbone of international tramp shipping—Intercargo remains committed to supporting the IMO’s efforts toward a just and effective energy transition.
