Understanding IMO NZF concerns key to moving forward says Dominguez

IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez called for member states to find a compromise deal that will allow the maritime industry to move forward with decarbonisation.

Last October was meant to see the Net Zero Framework (NZF) approved by MEPC 83, in April, finally enter into force following an extraordinary session of MEPC in October, but heavy lobbying by the US and Saudi delegations led to a decision to delay a vote on the NZF for one year.

According to Dominguez: “Our role right now is taking into account the global climate in relation to multilateralism and negotiations on climate change and the outcomes of COP30 in Brazil, our focus is on the substance [of what we have on the table].”

The Secretary General insists that the way forward for the regulatory body is to take into account some of the concerns that have been raised by member states, including the two major issues of how money collected from the industry will be dispersed, and the regulations around LNG and biofuels.

It is understood that many feel that LNG regulations are too stringent and that the gas can be a transitional fuel, but that the penalties imposed on the methane rich LNG would mean it is not economically viable.

Some owners believe that with no other fuel currently available, over-pricing LNG would be detrimental to the industry. Others argue that the way forward is to improve the efficiency of ships with existing technology, such as Mewis ducts, air lubrication and wind power along with weather routing.