Addressing Shipping Emissions a Top Priority for ICS as Esben Poulsson Elected as New Chairman

ICS unanimously elected Esben Poulsson as the organisation's new chairman on Thursday at its AGM in Tokyo.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Thursday, at its Annual General Meeting in in Tokyo, unanimously elected Esben Poulsson as the organisation's new chairman.

Having previously served as a vice-chairman, Poulsson succeeds Masamichi Morooka, who stood down following four years as ICS' chairman.

ICS has been vocal on a number of bunker related matters this year, including a push for a decision on the timing of the global 0.5 percent sulfur cap for bunkers to be made later this year at MEPC 70.

In comments made following his election, Poulsson indicated that bunkers would continue to be high on ICS' agenda. 

“Within ICS there are two major challenges on which we really need to focus this year.  The first is working with IMO Member States to make further progress addressing international shipping’s CO2 emissions, including our proposal that IMO should develop an ‘Intended IMO Determined Contribution’ for reducing the sector’s CO2, similar to the commitments already made by governments as part of the Paris Agreement," he said.

"But even more pressing from an industry perspective is making sure we are ready for the almost certain entry in force of the IMO Ballast Water Convention, and engaging with governments, especially the United States, to overcome some remaining but really serious implementation problems."

Poulsson added that ICS will continue its work to ensure the maintenance of global rules for the international shipping industry, as well as the continuous improvement of the industry's safety record and environmental performance.

In March, Poulsson, who is also president of the Singapore Shipping Association, stressed the importance of using technology to increase fleet efficiency and reduce operation costs to support the shipping industry's success in the future.