WSC comments post MEPC 82
There has been clear progress in negotiations at MEPC 82, and we are encouraged to see that the key industry priorities of a feebate and closing the price gap between green fuels and fossil fuels are considered critical going forward. Member states recognize that the core purpose of the mid-term measures is to drive the energy transition in the fleet, but there is much work remaining to get there.
Proposal for a sustainable fuels certification framework in the context of the IMO LCA Guidelines and the development of the mid-term measures (ISWG-GHG 17/3/1)
This document provides a concrete proposal on how to address the development of specific certification elements that will enable certification schemes to operate under the purview of the IMO LCA Guidelines, especially with respect to the implementation of the technical and economic elements under the IMO net-zero framework. For this, it is important to include a definition of "certification" in existing regulations and guidelines, and to develop a new set of guidelines and regulations as appropriate, outlining criteria and procedures for recognizing certification schemes and on the reporting of certification activities. The co-sponsors also propose a tentative timeline for this work and invite further proposals addressing the necessary technical and scientific issues and providing guidance on how to develop its contents.
Further development and explanation of the Green Balance Mechanism including draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI (ISWG-GHG 17/2/1)
Development of measures to prevent the loss of containers at sea (CCC 10/11/5)
This document proposes improvements to be considered for the safe transport, stowage and securing of containers based on preliminary results of the TopTier project.
WSC-BAM charcoal sampling project –progress report on testing the self-ignition behaviour of different charcoal samples
This document informs that WSC and the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) have launched the "charcoal sampling project" through which member carriers of WSC have been sourcing and shipping samples of charcoal (UN 1361) to BAM for laboratory testing. The intention of this project is to inform both carriers and regulators of any increased or decreased risks in the transport of charcoal against the standards that are set in the IMDG Code. The annex of this document provides an interim "progress report on testing the self-ignition behaviour of different charcoal samples" which has been issued by BAM.
Estimate of containers lost at sea – 2024 update (CCC 10/11/1)
Since 2011, the World Shipping Council (WSC) has undertaken a survey of its member companies to accurately estimate the number of containers that are lost at sea each year. WSCʹs member companies operate more than 90% of the global containership capacity; thus, a survey of their losses provides a valid basis for a meaningful estimate of the total number of containers lost at sea. The 2024 update adds information from the year 2023 where a total of 221 containers were lost at sea, out of 250 million transported. Of the containers lost, about 33% were recovered. This represents the lowest losses since the start of the survey in 2011 and a significant improvement on the previous lowest-ever loss of 661 containers in 2022.
Development of measures to prevent the loss of containers at sea (CCC 10/11)
Review of current and future work of the Organization to prevent the loss of containers at sea and to mitigate the impacts of such incidents.
WSC USTR comments on Section 301 investigation
The World Shipping Council (WSC), the international trade association representing container and vehicle carriers, today expressed to the U.S. Trade Representative its concern that the proposed imposition of a port fee on Chinese-built vessels would only serve to raise prices for U.S. consumers and harm U.S. export businesses, acting as a new tax on imports and exports.
WSC response to the EU to the European Commission's Public Consultation on "Ship recycling – European list of ship recycling facilities (13th edition)”
World Shipping Council member companies represent over 90% of global liner shipping industry container and vehicle carrier capacity. We are committed to working with the EU Institutions to advancing sustainable and responsible shipping practices worldwide and support EU leadership at the IMO for more ambitious actions and higher standards when it comes to ship recycling.
Security in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The security situation in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is extremely serious with civilian merchant ships being fired upon and the lives of seafarers being put at risk on a daily basis. Seafarers have been killed and seriously injured in these deliberate and targeted attacks. The co-sponsors detail the volume and the impact of attacks faced by civilian seafarers and request a detailed discussion on the issue within an appropriate group with the aims to condemn the attacks on seafarers and ships and to identify how to achieve a long-lasting security situation that can be put in place after the immediate crisis is resolved.
Consideration of a “Green Balance Mechanism” (ISWG-GHG 16/2/4 )
This paper outlines how development of a ‘Green Balance Mechanism’ (GBM) can help deliver the environmental outcomes identified in IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy while also providing a targeted economic and regulatory means to incentivise and enable the use of net-zero and near-zero fuels and technologies critical to the needed energy transition. The Green Balance Mechanism is designed to work as part of an integrated measure, a levy / GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI) approach, or as a hybrid measure to be considered in the development and discussion of mid-term measures.
Proposal to forward a list of potential risk-prevention-related areas to the CCC Sub-Committee
In order to serve the need for a holistic risk-based approach, and prioritization of risk prevention and mitigation enhancement when developing amendments, this document proposes that the Sub-Committee, taking into account the preliminary work by the co-sponsors, prepare a list of potential risk-prevention-related areas that would fall under the purview of the CCC Sub-Committee, which could be identified throughout the period of working under this output; and forward this list to the CCC Sub-Committee for consideration and taking action, as appropriate.
Illegal wildlife trafficking: Joint industry guidelines
Reduction Of GHG Emissions From Ships Four Regulatory Elements Critical to an Effective Global GHG Agreement Submitted by The World Shipping Council
MEPC 81 will consider development of an IMO GHG regulatory agreement consistent with the revised IMO GHG Strategy adopted at MEPC 80 in July 2023. This paper identifies four regulatory elements that WSC considers critical to formulating an IMO GHG instrument that can achieve the necessary environmental outcomes.
Experiences gained on the use of the Interim guidelines on the second generation intact stability criteria (MSC.1/Circ.1627) – Calculations for MV Maersk Essen container loss accident
In accordance with the request in the Interim guidelines on the second generation intact stability criteria (MSC.1/Circ.1627) for Member States to use them as complementary measures when applying the requirements of the mandatory criteria of part A of the Intact Stability Code, this document shares the results from calculations made for MV Maersk Essen, which lost 750 containers on 16 January 2021.
WSC position on the reform of the Union Customs Code
The Customs Union Acting as One: WSC supports the proposed UCC Customs Data Hub with a Shared Trader Interface. The current mosaic of divergent national customs systems generates significant costs, duplicate IT developments, additional functional data sets, contradictory submission processes and uncoordinated system deployments. This represents a significant economic drag for Europe.