IAPH policy & IMO liaison officer Rhona Macdonald offered a port perspective on decarbonisation at the World Maritime University (WMU) last week. Under the theme of ‘Transforming a Maritime Future: Digitalization and Decarbonization’, WMU hosted its annual Maritime Affairs Conference (26-28 August) and Rhona participated in a panel session on decarbonisation. Joined by experts across the maritime value chain – including Svieneng Oftedal, chair of the IMO’s Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction of GHG emissions from ships – Rhona explained how global ports are supporting the international shipping sector to align with the trajectory of the IMO Net Zero Framework (NZF). Within the context of the expected adoption of the NZF at the extra-ordinary meeting of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in October, Rhona shed light on port investment needs and the necessary allocation of revenues generated from the NZF to port and coastal infrastructure development – particularly in developing countries – to meet future energy demands. Delegates also heard a keynote speech delivered by Dr Harry Conway, chair of MEPC and permanent representative to Liberia at the IMO, who highlighted ‘the 5Cs’ of shipping negotiation (clarity, communication, collaboration, compromise, and commitment) with emphasis on the power of collaboration as IMO member states and industry navigate the next major milestone to build a safe, sustainable, and future-ready maritime sector.
