Imo Calls for the Shipping Industry to Make Further Investments to Achieve Decarbonization

09 June 2025

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of IMO said that to achieve decarbonization, regulations alone were not enough in his remarks at the Blue Economy Finance Forum held in Monaco on June 8, ahead of their adoption in October, calling for investments in decarbonization efforts such as the development of relevant technologies and alternative fuels. The global shipping industry already started its move. Currently, there are at least 200 ocean liners in operation that can run on zero or near-zero emission fuels. In addition, a majority of newly ordered container ships and vehicle carriers will have the same capability.

The “IMO Net-Zero Framework”, aims to cut the greenhouse gas emissions of ships and also put a price on their emissions, while rewarding shipping companies who take action pre-emptively to decrease their emissions. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of IMO emphasized that these regulations were mandatory, which would be applied to all ocean-going ships. He added that it was time for humanity to make an investment to address man-made environmental problems and build a sustainable future for future generations. 

For the original article, please visit https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/Pages/WhatsNew-2269.aspx or scan the QR code below 

Norwegian Maritime Authority Submitted Plans to Introduce New Regulations Aimed at Preventing the Spread of Invasive Species via Hulls

10 June 2025 

The Norwegian Maritime Authority proposed new regulations to prevent the spread of invasive species via ships and mobile offshore units arriving in Norwegian waters from areas outside the Economic Zone of Norway. The Authority expects that these new regulations can not only prevent the spread of invasive species but also help save fuel by managing biofouling. This is because smoother hulls can lower fuel consumption. 

Biofouling is the phenomenon where all kinds of organisms accumulate on hulls and it is a long-standing challenge for the international shipping industry and poses a threat to the marine ecosystem as well. Bjelland Eriksen, Minister of Climate and Environment of Norway noted that the country hoped that this move would encourage other countries to implement similar measures and that this would be helpful for their cooperation with IMO. Under these regulations, ships and mobile offshore units arriving from areas outside the Economic Zone of Norway must remove microfouling on their hulls, undergo hull cleaning if microfouling exists upon arrival, and they must have a biofouling management plan and document the measures taken.      

For the original article, please visit https://www.sdir.no/en/news/new-regulations-aimed-at-preventing-the-spread-of-invasive-species-via-hulls/ or scan the QR code below