Commission supports ambitious global actions to tackle greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector

Only days after the adoption of a  landmark international agreement to tackle aviation emissions, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is expected to step up its efforts to address emissions in the maritime sector. Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc is today in London for the opening of the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the IMO, held until 28 October. Commissioner Bulc will meet with the Secretary-General of IMO, Mr Kitack Lim, with the chairman of the Environment Protection Committee, Mr Arsenio Dominguez and with representatives from industry. Later this week, the Committee is expected to adopt a mandatory global data collection system for the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of ships. This is a first important step to address greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping sector as outlined in theEuropean Strategy for low-emission mobility adopted by the Commission in July 2016. Other agenda items include the revision of the efficiency standards of new ships and discussions of a global sulphur cap in maritime fuel.