Decarbonisation and Shipping - short term measures to improve ship efficiency The impact of the emission of greenhouse gasses (‘GHG’) from industrial activities is increasingly a matter of commercial and regulatory focus in the maritime sector. Articles Steamship Mutual Published: January 18, 2022 Contact author Download article pdf In 2018 the International Maritime Organisation (‘IMO’) adopted the Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions on Ships as a roadmap for regulating shipping reducing its environmental impact, particularly as regards carbon emissions, by 2050. The ambitions of the IMO’s Initial Strategy are: by 2030 to reduce the carbon intensity of international shipping by 40% compared with 2008 levels and, by 2050 to reduce carbon intensity by 70%, and by 2050, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by at least 50% (compared with 2008 levels) and to phase them out as soon as possible. These ambitions are to be reached through short, medium and long term measures. Short term measures include amending and expanding existing IMO instruments to improve ship efficiency at the design stage and through the ship's life in operational as well as technical terms. The medium and long term measures will start to be discussed at IMO level from 2023 onwards and concern a focus on new fuels and technologies as well as market based measure such as emission trading schemes, environmental levies and off-setting schemes. In addition to international regulation through the IMO, shipping will also be exposed to multiple other sources of regulation, including EU regulation, national regulation, the law of the flag as well as any additional duties imposed by contractual agreement. Decarbonisation and Shipping To view other articles and updates relating to decarbonisation and shipping, please follow the links below: Resources Short term measures coming into effect on the 1 January 2023 (IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships) - February 2022 D