ICS: Don't Use Shipowners as "Cash Cow"

ICS Director of External Relations Simon Bennett said shipowners pay enough already

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is speaking out against demands for shipowners to make a large contribution to the Green Climate Fund at the United Nations (UNFCCC) Climate Change Conference in Doha (COP 18), arguing that the industry is already taking on large costs to reduce emissions and improve efficiency.

"Some governments appear to be more interested in how much money can be raised from shipping, rather than the emissions reductions that this might deliver," said Simon Bennett, ICS's director of external relations.

"Just because we lack a strong political constituency, we should not be treated as a cash cow."

Bennet said new requirements for low-sulfur fuel are raising costs for shipowners and providing a strong incentive for increased efficiency.

"Governments must also avoid the possibility of modal shift," he said.

"If excessive costs are added to shipping, there could be greater use of less carbon-efficient shore based transport modes which will generate additional CO2."

A recent NUFCCC secretariat report suggested the contribution from the industry to help with "climate financing."

ICS said new International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations to reduce ship emissions are already set to take effect in January 2013 and will apply to at least 90 percent of the world's tonnage.

Some nongovernmental organisations are warning that the Green Climate Fund, which is intended to help poor countries adapt to climate change, could be left with little funding if wealthy nations do not contribute enough to it, UK newspaper the Guardian reports.