The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has urged governments to use the coming year to rebuild trust and reach agreement on a fair and practical path to decarbonising shipping, one that puts seafarers at its core.
The call follows the decision by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on 17 October to postpone the vote on its Net-Zero Framework for one year. The framework was expected to outline measures for implementing the IMO’s 2023 greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy, including timelines and obligations for industry actors.
ITF Seafarers’ Section Coordinator, Fabrizio Barcellona, said the decision reflects the complexity and importance of the task ahead – but warned that the industry cannot afford to stand still.
While this delay reflects the complexity and importance of the decisions ahead, the process of decarbonising shipping cannot wait – and it cannot succeed without seafarers. Seafarers and the industry are already moving ahead, operating new and cleaner vessels and developing the skills that will power the maritime transition. This work cannot and will not stop. Barcellona noted.
Furthermore, Barcellona explained thta the ITF hopes the year ahead will be used to strengthen trust and rebuild consensus at the IMO, ensuring that future decisions support both the industry’s transition and the professional seafarers who will deliver it.
We urge IMO Member States to continue working collaboratively with industry partners to take the necessary measures toward a safe, just and fair maritime future. …he highlighted.
Earlier this year, ISWAN’s guidance “Taking a seafarer-centred approach to decarbonisation: Guidance for seafarers and maritime stakeholders” highlighted, through survey findings, that many seafarers feel their vital role and expertise in achieving a decarbonised maritime sector often goes unrecognised.
At the same time, the survey showed that seafarers are well aware of the urgent need to protect the environment. They possess valuable knowledge and take pride in contributing to meaningful change.
There is ample opportunity for maritime organisations to build on this substantial reservoir of positive belief and goodwill to create stronger foundations for the sector’s transition to zero carbon.
