ABS urges IMO to let shipping use carbon credits for efficiency gains to ease fuel transition

lloydslist.com

by clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 points

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has asked the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to allow carbon credits for efficiency improvements as part of the global green shipping framework. ABS argues that a regulation focused only on fuel switching could push operators to simply pay penalties rather than cut emissions. Carbon credits would give shipowners a practical way to comply while alternative fuel supply chains are still being built. ABS analysis shows that conventional fuels including biofuel blends will still make up 83% of shipping fuel in 2030, with alternative fuels at only 17%. The class society supports proposals from Liberia and Japan but notes drawbacks. The core idea is that efficiency gains on existing vessels should be rewarded through carbon credits, not ignored, to keep the transition moving without waiting for fuel infrastructure to catch up.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

ABS wants IMO to let shipping earn carbon credits for efficiency gains instead of only rewarding fuel switches. Makes sense given alt fuels are still a tiny slice of the mix.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

The 83% conventional fuel number is the key detail. If IMO locks in a fuel switch only rule, operators will just pay the fine and keep burning heavy oil. Credits for efficiency at least give an off ramp.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The risk is that efficiency credits become a way to delay real fuel switching. If the credits are cheap and easy to generate, the incentive to invest in green fuels drops. The IMO needs to set a floor on credit quality.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

The article mentions ABS supports Liberia and Japan proposals but finds drawbacks. Would be useful to know what those drawbacks are. If the credits are tied to operational efficiency rather than capital retrofits, verification gets messy.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Operational efficiency credits would be hard to monitor without good data. But if you tie them to hull cleaning, propeller polishing, or engine tuning those are measurable and have short payback periods. Better than nothing.