EmissionLink urges mindset shift 

A global greenhouse gas pricing mechanism, approved at MEPC 83 this week, marks a turning point for international shipping.

For the first time, emissions will come at a cost, starting at $100 per tonne of CO2 and rising to $380 for higher-emission operations.

According to an announcement released on Friday, the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) decision introduces a long-awaited global economic measure aimed at pushing the sector towards cleaner fuels and operations.

The move was welcomed by EmissionLink, part of Columbia Group, though the company warned that compliance alone won’t be enough.

The digital platform, designed to help shipowners, charterers and managers keep up with fast-changing regulations, is positioning itself as a key player in the new carbon-accountable era.

Philippos Ioulianou, Columbia Group’s Director of Energy and Renewables, said “A global GHG pricing mechanism, paired with a fuel standard for the first time, brings the accountability and structure the industry needs to accelerate the transformation to a more sustainable future.”

However, he added that “To achieve this, it must be about more than just compliance, it needs to change current mindsets.”

The shift comes as the UK prepares to bring shipping under its own Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) from next year, as part of wider maritime plans to hit net zero by 2050.

“In addition, there is also some debate over how shipowners will comply with emissions regulations on a local as well as a global level,” he said.

“With the UK introducing its own emissions trading scheme, will other countries also launch their own schemes and if so, how will this be monitored to ensure consistency and avoid confusion?”

With the EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime, the new UK ETS and now the IMO’s global framework, some shipowners have already pulled out of the European market, citing regulatory complexity and risk.

But, as Ioulianou made clear, that strategy won’t work anymore.

“The message from regulators is clear: the future is carbon accountable,” he said.

“Now what shipowners and the industry needs to realise is that with the right tools and data infrastructure, they don’t need to shy away from that future, they can lead it,” Ioulianou concluded.