Seafarers ‘critical’ on IMO’s updated GHG-reducing strategy

The IMO’s decision to implement a new GHG (Greenhouse Gas) reduction strategy has won many accolades and one of them is seafarer’s union landmark commitment to a Just Transition for the world’s maritime workforce. The Just Transition is a way to support workers and communities to be a part of and play an active role in finalizing the tech and economic changes.

In the new strategy, the IMO will be reviewing the seafarer training instruments and properly guiding them to ensure that emissions technologies are safe for maritime workers and all affected communities. The seafarers will have to play a critical role in shipping meetings to discuss the decarbonisation challenge.

The IMO is also under the impression that the decarbonizing of shipping with active efforts of well-trained maritime staff is possible. IMO has recently announced its revised GHG reduction strategy which aims to cut total global emissions in the shipping sector and achieve net zero by or around 2050, with interim targets of at least 20% (striving for 30%) by 2030, and 70% (striving for 80%) by 2040.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) general secretary Stephen Cotton supports those workers from governments and employers to make the shift a successful accomplishment.