As the largest sector operating in the ocean space, shipping has a central role to play in the protection of the marine environment and management of ocean resources.
The IMO's work to protect the ocean
Over many decades, the IMO has developed and adopted mandatory rules, recommendations and guidelines to protect the marine environment from any potential negative impact of shipping.
These international regulations are supported by technical assistance programmes and projects that support Member States to tackle specific challenges such as marine plastic litter, greenhouse gas emissions from ships, and the spread of invasive aquatic species through ballast water and biofouling.
How Ipieca works with the IMO to support sustainable shipping
Ipieca has long been an IMO observer and works with the IMO on a range on initiatives and workstreams, including:
- Providing technical inputs to the IMO Net Zero Framework
- Supported the development of the IMO’s revised strategy on the reduction of emissions from shipping
- Working with the IMO on its analysis of life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of shipping fuels and the development of alternative lower-carbon shipping fuels
- Developed the Guidance on the use of 0.50% sulphur fuel to help industry align with the IMO’s low-sulphur regulations
- Contributing to the IMOFuture Fuels and Technology project providing updates on lower-emissions fuels around the world
- Supporting MARPOL, the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships
- The joint IMO-Ipieca Global Initiative programme which supports oil spill preparedness capacity building in over 80 countries
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