Find the latest publications written by members of the Clean Shipping Coalition

Dear OSPAR Secretariat, We deeply value the crucial role that OSPAR plays in driving ambitious and science-based regional marine protection efforts. OSPAR’s long-standing commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems serves as a model for regional cooperation.

This document presents evidence for the high potential of energy efficiency to contribute to the achievement of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, and includes new calculations that show this would require a supply-based carbon intensity reduction factor of 55% by 2030, compared to 2008, equivalent to a reduction factor of 41% by 2030 compared to 2019.

This document builds on document ISWG-GHG 17/3 (CSC) to complement the extensive literature review on the well-to-tank (WtT) GHG intensity of liquified natural gas (LNG) imports in the European Union, including information and literature to determine a WtT value for a global default emission factor.

This document presents information on the current literature about tank-to-wake (TtW) nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from ammonia dual-fuel engines. Recent studies indicate significant variability in N₂O emissions across engine types, operating conditions, and testing methodologies. This document compiles emission data and findings from the most up-to-date laboratory tests and modeling efforts. The summarized results are presented in g N2O/g NH3 units, without normalization of scenario parameters across studies. The co-sponsors propose that the Committee agree to forward these results to the GESAMP-LCA Working Group to be used as part of their mandate to improve the robustness of GHG accounting for ammonia-fueled ships.

Document MEPC 82/7/10 proposed a new approach to address shipping within the triple planetary crisis of climate, biodiversity and pollution, in order to prioritize solutions with co-benefits to address these crises. This document updates the Committee on relevant research and initiatives and recommends establishing an ad hoc working group to make progress on reversing biodiversity loss and reducing pollution which supports climate action and vice versa.

This document provides an overview of issues stemming from the production of food and feed crop-based biofuels spanning from environmental risks to uncertain GHG emission savings and negative consequences on food security. This document highlights historical experiences with biofuels across various jurisdictions. It demonstrates that food and feed-based biofuels cannot be considered sustainable fuel options.

This document examines the implications of incorporating an 𝑓 𝑣𝑜𝑦 correction factor and adopting the adjusted tank-to-wake (TtW) GHG accounting methodology under the Global Fuel Standard (GFS) as proposed in document ISWG-GHG 17/2/7 (Angola et al.)

As delegates meet at the International Maritime Organization in London this week, Seas At Risk has released the following infographic to push for a strong Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), a global greenhouse gas fuel standard and an ambitious levy.

This document provides comments on document MEPC 82/6/1 (Austria et al.) concerning GHG emissions data quality and integrity as a basis for current and future IMO GHG regulatory measures, as well as document MEPC 82/6/17 (Austria et al.) on the possible two-step approach for the review and revision of the short-term measures.

This document comments on documents MEPC 81/16 and MEPC 81/16/Add.1, annex 12 and invites the Working Group to ensure an inclusive, deliberative and transparent process for the further development of the basket of candidate mid-term measures during working groups at ISWG-GHG 17, MEPC 82 and at any other formal and informal sessions that might happen in between.

This document shares the findings of an extensive literature review on the well-to-tank (WtW) GHG intensity of liquified natural gas(LNG) imports to the European Union. The review aggregates data from 130 references from eight LNG-exporting nations, covering 92.6% of EU imports in 2023. The study concludes that the overallWtT GHG intensity of LNG in Europe […]

This document sets out key legal obligations relevant to the international shipping sector as explained by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in its advisory opinion of 21 May 2024 in case number 31 and puts forward policy recommendations that will assist States in complying with such obligations. Download: ISWG-GHG 17/2/17: […]

This document comments on document MEPC 82/16 (Secretariat) and invites the Committee to consider proposals for ensuring an efficient and streamlined simultaneous enforcement of both the Basel and Hong Kong Conventions. The document outlines why, in accordance with the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and the text of the Basel Convention itself, it […]

This document comments on document MEPC 82/9/2 and summarizes available resources and information to assist the shipping industry with uptake of the Revised guidelines for the reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life (MEPC.1/Circ.906) and is also submitted as a contribution to the EBP for the Revised Guidelines. […]

This document refers to document MEPC 81/8/1 (FOEI and CSC) submitted to MEPC 81 and deferred to MEPC 82. It provides additional information from a new study which identifies a further source of microplastics from shipping which are entering the ocean and the marine and human food chain. Download: MEPC 82/8/4: Improving the understanding of […]

This document provides comments on the status of actions in the Organization’s Action Plan to address marine plastic litter from ships and information relating to illegal discharges of marine plastic litter. Download: MEPC 82/8/3: IMO’s Action Plan: illegal discharge of marine plastic litter from ships

This document comments on the work concerning plastic pellets and the possible options to facilitate future deliberations at the PPR Sub-Committee proposed by the Secretariat in document MEPC 82/8. It also provides recommendations on the development of amendments to appropriate mandatory instruments to effectively reduce the environmental risk associated with the maritime transport of plastic […]

This document provides new information on planetary tipping points and introduces the concept of positive tipping points or sources of hope, in support of proposals contained in document MEPC 82/7/10 (FOEI et al.). Download: MEPC 82/7/17: Global Tipping Points – Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships

A sustainable fuel sub target, and associated proposed amendments to documents ISWG-GHG 15/3/1 and ISWG-GHG 16/2/7 This document provides elements to consider in designing the GHG Fuel Standard (GFS), especially in relation to the GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI) targets, the competitiveness of alternative fuels and non-fuel technologies, and what constitutes a sustainable zero and near-zero […]

This document situates the shipping sector within the triple planetary crisis of climate, biodiversity, and pollution, and prioritizes solutions with co-benefits to address these crises. By focusing on these solutions, action on reversing biodiversity loss and reducing pollution can support climate action and vice versa. The co-sponsors recommend an IMO framework be developed, similar to […]

Information and summary of an ongoing process with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation on Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems. Download: MEPC 82/5/4: Air Pollution Prevention: EGCS pollution in Pacific Canada: investigation of Canada

This submission develops the concept of “polar fuels” discussed at PPR 11. It seeks to set out the fuel characteristics that would distinguish polar fuels from residual fuels and thus lead to fuel-based reductions in ship Black Carbon (BC) emissions if mandated for use in an near the Arctic. It also proposes the drafting of […]

This document sets out a legal analysis on the use of exhaust gas cleaning systems as an alternative compliance mechanism under MARPOL Annex VI from an air quality impact perspective. Download: MEPC 82/5: Legal analysis on exhaust gas cleaning systems as an alternative compliance mechanism under MARPOL Annex VI from an air quality impact perspective

The CII is key to creating more energy efficient ships and cutting emissions in the short-term. Currently, the CII is not realising its full potential! The revision of the CII, due to start at MEPC82 and conclude by 2025, is a key opportunity to bring it up to date with the revised GHG Strategy and […]

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the principal international legal agreement regulating the environmental harm done by shipping, is 50 years old this year. In this report, we look into the widely-held assumption that shipping is an environmentally friendly means of transport and take heed of shipping’s contribution to climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.