ICS Highlights Vision for Zero Carbon Shipping Future

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday November 6, 2017

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) today highlighted its vision for zero carbon shipping future, which it says might be achieved through the use of batteries or fuel cells with renewable energy sources, or other new technologies, such as hydrogen.

"ICS has a vision of zero CO2 emissions from shipping in the second half of the century. We are confident this will be achievable with alternative fuels and new propulsion technologies," said Simon Bennett, ICS Director of Policy.

"It will be for governments to agree the actual reduction number when they adopt an initial IMO strategy next April. And this is also going to have to address the legitimate concerns of major economies such as China and India about the implications for future trade and their sustainable development."

The comments came as ICS is representing the world's national shipowners' associations at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 23) in Bonn this week.

"A significant increase in marine fuel costs is expected in 2020 due to the mandatory global switch by the entire world fleet to low sulphur fuels. This should greatly incentivise, to the extent this is possible, the further reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by ships," added Bennett.

Last week, Ship & Bunker reported that an ICS proposal to ban to the carriage of non-compliant bunker fuel prior to the 2020 0.50 percent sulfur cap coming to force will be put forth to IMO.