IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez opened the 84th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84), urging Member States to find convergence and make meaningful progress on the IMO Net-Zero Framework to cut global shipping emissions, and set an example of effective multilateralism.
The meeting will cover a range of environmental issues, including actions to address:
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships
- Energy efficiency of ships
- Ballast water management & biofouling
- Marine plastic litter
- Underwater radiated noise
Before turning to the work of the session, Mr. Dominguez reiterated his grave concern over the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. “Thousands of seafarers remain stranded inside the Gulf on board vessels, exposed to significant risks and considerable psychological strain. They are victims of a situation with broader consequences for the global economy and food security. The longer this situation goes on, the greater the risk of serious accidents, including environmental accidents.”
(Photo from IMO)