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Dominguez also noted that many companies are doing a lot to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which cause climate change. But getting to the IMO’s goal of a 30% reduction of emissions by 2030 would require immediate implementation of every possibility.
The new head of the International Maritime Organization, d Arsenio Dominguez in charge of regulating international shipping, hit out at the inaction of the industry to curb carbon emissions, while prodding companies to work harder. He said that the shipping industry has been criticized for making little progress in reducing the carbon-belching pollution released by the vessels that move most of the cargo that people use daily, such as food, cars, clothes, and many other things.
Dominguez, who took over as secretary general at the beginning of this year, said the shipping industry should use satellites to chart routes depending on weather, should take steps to waste less fuel, clean the hulls of ships to reduce friction in the water, etc to bring down the emission of carbon into the sea.
Dominguez also noted that many companies are doing a lot to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which cause climate change. But getting to the IMO’s goal of a 30% reduction of emissions by 2030 would require immediate implementation of every possibility.
Ultimately, major decarbonizing of the sector will take an overhaul of shipping fuel, said Dominguez, a point that industry leaders agree on. Today, most ships run on heavy fuel oil, which releases carbon dioxide along with sulphur, nitrogen, and other pollutants.
Much cleaner fuels already exist, and many more are being developed, such as hydrogen, ammonia, and biofuels. But they are more expensive, not yet available at scale, and only better for the planet when made in clean ways.
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Currently, the shipping industry is responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Their total emissions are expected to go up sharply in future decades unless major changes are made. Other parts of the world economy have made strides at decarbonizing, such as the power and ground transportation sectors, thanks to electrification. Comparatively, little has happened in shipping, the IMO chief observed. Last year, the IMO set a target to reach net zero by or around 2050, a goal that is a potential catalyst while also putting a spotlight on just how far the industry has to go.
