Two countries are yet to give their nod to the adoption of the draft text of Initial IMO Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategy for Ships being discussed at the 72nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee in London.

The two nations of 173 taking part in the committee meeting have been identified as the United States and Saudi Arabia, according to the preliminary information.

It is understood that the draft text has set an initial objective of cutting the sector’s total CO2 emissions by 50 percent by 2050 compared to 2008 levels.

This is a substantial reduction from a very ambitious target campaigned by the EU countries of 70 pct cut toward 100 pct by 2050.

A final decision on the draft is set to be adopted and announced today, April 13 at the closing of the session which started on Monday.

The IMO has been under a colossal pressure over the recent period to commit to a meaningful strategy on reducing GHG emissions from ships, shipping being the only sector not subject to a global emission reduction objective.

The international maritime community was called to compromise on the matter in order for the foundation stone to be laid on the subject.

Speaking on the strategy at the beginning of April, Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of IMO, said postponing the adoption of the initial strategy to a future session of MEPC was not an option.

World Maritime News Staff