Shipowners Join in Urging Maritime Carbon Levy

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is joining campaign groups in urging climate talks in Durban. In helping to put a price on polluting emissions from ships, funding could then be raised to tackle global warming is the belief of the campaign.

The ICS is now giving its support to Oxfam and WWF who have been urging for a maritime carbon levy. This meeting in Durban is expected to work on the design of the Green Climate Fund, which will allot developing nations money to aid in tackling climate change.

ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe has certain conditions pertaining to the shipping levy proposal. First, details would have to be agreed at the International Maritime Organization and also, he states that the industry’s preference is to have a compensation fund linked to a ship’s fuel consumption, rather than an emissions trading scheme. IMO talks in tackling these issues are still in session.

*Shipping is held responsible for about 3 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions.