Cyprus has always played a leading role and active contribution in the formulation of global and EU maritime policy, contributing to the IMO, ILO and EU discussions on forming regulation. As a leading EU flag, Cyprus is committed to taking an environmentally sustainable path and supporting the industry in making progress towards its emissions reduction ambitions.
In response to the latest IMO MEPC meeting from 16th to 20th November, 2020, Cyprus welcomes the approval of the draft new mandatory regulations to reduce carbon intensity of ships.
This is a step forward and a building block towards the implementation of IMO initial strategy for the decarbonisation of shipping. The draft amendments of MARPOL Annex VI, which are scheduled for formal adoption in June 2021, relate to mandatory goal-based technical and operational measures to reduce carbon intensity, including a review clause for the evaluation of the measures in the near future.
Cyprus encourages the examination of proposals put forward for the creation of Research and Development mechanisms. This will help to expedite research and innovation, and enable discussion of initiatives that support the development of low and zero carbon technologies that the shipping industry can benefit from.
The Cyprus Shipping Deputy Ministry believes that standardised, global regulation offers the fairest, most efficient and pragmatic path towards decarbonisation of an international industry such as shipping. Furthermore, the Cyprus SDM is wholly committed to constructively participating in the development of policy on both a regional and international scale. This is why the ministry will be hosting a virtual debate on Monday, 7 December 2020, which will bring together regulators, NGOs and other members of the shipping industry to discuss the EU’s proposal to initiate an Emissions Trading System for shipping, exploring if this represents an elixir or a threat to sustainability as the sector moves towards meeting future environmental objectives.
For more information on how to participate in this debate, please visit the event page, here: https://bit.ly/2HGSuKf .