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Maritime Insights and Knowledge-hub Overview: Navigating Regulatory and Political Currents in Shipping

Overview: Navigating Regulatory and Political Currents in Shipping

Other insights Nov. 04, 2024
Overview: Navigating Regulatory and Political Currents in Shipping

The European Green Deal, Fit for 55, MARPOL, EU and the IMO: The shipping industry is governed by a variety of national and international policies and bodies. This article provides a brief overview of some of the main actors and policies that shape and impact the shipping sector.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union (EU) are two of the most important institutions for regulating and setting standards for the international maritime and shipping sector.

The IMO

The IMO is the United Nations agency tasked with promoting safe, secure, and environmentally sound shipping. Counting 176 member states, the IMO sets global maritime standards for the shipping sector by developing international regulations that serve as the basis for national laws and policies for maritime operations. Member states of the IMO agree to implement and enforce these international standards within their jurisdictions.

In 2023, the IMO adopted the ambition to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.

In shipping it is often the case, that IMO standards and targets are inspired by legislation and policy packages already under development, negotiation or implemented in the European Union.

The EU

The European Green Deal is a package of policy initiatives introduced in 2019 aiming to make the EU climate neutral by 2050, with an interim target of a 55% reduction in 2030 and 90% in 2040 compared to 1990 levels. The pathway to reach the latter is popularly coined ‘Fit for 55’, which is a policy package under the European Green Deal.

 

Read more about the IMO, the EU, and Fit for 55 here:

• Links to official websites IMO, The European Green Deal & Fit for 55

Watch our explainer video

This animation provides a brief introduction to key elements in the regulatory framework and political ambitions of the IMO and the EU.

Play Political Objectives 1

FAQ

  • What is the IMO?

    The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency under the United Nations established in 1948. It’s responsible for regulating and standardizing international maritime activities to promote safety at sea, protect the marine environment, and regulate the shipping industry’s impact on the climate.

  • What is the role of the IMO?

    The IMO's role is to establish standards and guidelines for environmental protection and efficiency in maritime shipping, regulating international shipping activities to promote sustainability and responsibility in the industry, for the benefit of both the environment and maritime safety worldwide.

  • What are the IMO's ambitions?

    The IMO's ambitions include achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by or around 2050, reducing the carbon intensity of international shipping by at least 40% by 2030, and aligning its strategies more closely with the Paris Agreement goals.

  • What is the European Green Deal?

    The European Green Deal is a package of policy initiatives by the European Commission aimed at making Europe climate-neutral by 2050, promoting an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, and addressing climate change and sustainability.

  • What are the ambitions within the European Green Deal?

    The ambitions within the European Green Deal include reaching climate neutrality in the EU by 2050, reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and 90% in 2040 compared to 1990 levels, and making Europe the first climate-neutral continent.

  • What is Fit for 55?

    Fit for 55 is a package of legislative proposals from the European Union, targeting various sectors, including the maritime sector, with the aim to align EU legislation with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

  • Why is Fit for 55 important?

    Fit for 55 is important because it translates the ambitions of the European Green Deal into concrete legislation, including specific measures targeted at the shipping sector, to ensure the EU achieves its goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050 and reduces its transport emissions.

  • What is the MEPC?

    The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) is a key committee within the IMO responsible for regulating shipping on a global scale. It focuses on environmental issues related to maritime transportation, and develops regulations to mitigate pollution and protect marine ecosystems.

  • What is the IMO's revised strategy?

    The IMO's revised strategy, adopted during the 80th session of the MEPC, represents a significant acceleration in emissions reduction compared to earlier strategies, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2050 relative to 2008 levels, and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by or around 2050.

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