Decarbonisation Talks an Opportunity to Accelerate "Maritime Energy Transition," Says MAN CEO

The "Ambition 1.5°C: Global Shipping’s Action Plan" summit was held on November 13, alongside COP23.
Image Credit: Ambition 1.5°C

Dr. Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Diesel & Turbo SE (MAN), says a shipping industry summit on decarbonisation held as part of the 23rd session of the UN’s Climate Change Conference (COP 23)  meeting in Bonn this week was an opportunity to accelerate the "Maritime Energy Transition."

"The hopes and demands of the shipping industry for a strengthened mandate of the IMO were not fulfilled in Paris; Bonn offers us a new opportunity to accelerate what MAN Diesel & Turbo calls the ‘Maritime Energy Transition’, the move to cleaner technology within our industry," said Lauber.

"Ultimately, uniform environmental standards must be established at international level – a strong IMO as an international regulator is therefore essential."

Initiated by Gavin Allwright, Secretary of the International Windship Association (IWSA), and co-organised and sponsored by MAN, the "Ambition 1.5°C: Global Shipping's Action Plan" summit was held on November 13, alongside COP23.

As Ship & Bunker previously reported, the sideline event discussed technologies, facilities, and tools needed to develop an ambitious low carbon action plan based on an an accelerated "pathway" developed by the Sustainable Shipping Initiative.

"MAN Diesel & Turbo wants to expand the debate on how to reach COP 21's targets," said Dr. Gunnar Stiesch, Senior Vice President at MAN, in a presentation at the summit.

"We want to engage with all stakeholders – whether the general public, NGOs, shipowners or classification societies – to see what solutions are already in place or required. Consequently, I am heartened by what I have heard today in Bonn where we have made significant progress, and am confident that our efforts here will ultimately bear fruit."