Earlier this month, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency responsible for regulating shipping, has taken significant steps towards establishing a legally binding framework to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships globally, aiming for net-zero emissions by or around, i.e close to 2050. Approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee during its 83rd session, the concerned measures include a new fuel standard for ships and a global pricing mechanism for emissions. These measures will become mandatory for large ocean-going ships over 5,000 gross tonnage, which emit 85% of the total CO2 emissions from international shipping. The goal is to achieve the climate targets set out in the 2023 IMO Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, accelerate the introduction of zero and near zero GHG fuels, technologies and energy sources, and support a just and equitable transition. [1,2]
In this context, the Map of the Week highlights the density of cargo ship industry vessel routes in Europe, emphasising the region’s critical role in maritime traffic. The cargo shipping industry has significantly contributed to GHG emissions, exacerbating climate change. [3] Therefore, it is a key sector targeted by maritime policies and European Union and global marine policies with ambitious targets, including initiatives under the European Green Deal. Understanding vessel traffic is essential for developing a comprehensive strategy to reduce GHG emissions from shipping, promoting both environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. The IMO amendment lays a strong foundation for initiating the necessary green energy transition, which involves the global switch to sustainable practices in all industries, including shipping.
A sustainable and feasible plan is key to address the economic and social aspects of the green transition‘s need for significant investments in the current infrastructure, technology and resources.
The 2025 amendment to the IMO strategy aims to facilitate the green transition by creating a pricing mechanism for emissions. This means a greater incentive for companies to use clean fuels and generation of revenue to support the development of clean fuels, ensuring no country is left behind.
The measures introduced by the IMO negotiations will be confirmed in the next IMO meeting in October 2025, before they may be enforced in 2027.
Wish to learn more?
- Read more about IMO’s work to cut GHG emissions from ships;
- Take a closer look at the news article on the IMO Net-Zero Framework;
- Learn about the work of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA);
- Take a closer look into Climate Change and the afflicting pressures;
- Get more information on marine transport and its effects on European seas.
The data in the map are provided by EMODnet, using a novel big data analysis workflow that calculates the vessel density from a large dataset of Automatic Identification System (AIS) messages which contain the locations of the ship on-board transponders.
[1] https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/pages/IMO-approves-netzero-regulations.aspx
[2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_1037
[3] https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/transport/reducing-emissions-shipping-sector_en