The UK Unveils Ambitious Plan for Maritime Decarbonization

The UK’s Maritime Minister, Mike Kane, has unveiled a detailed plan for the next stages of efforts towards maritime decarbonization. This new policy, presented to the House of Commons in Parliament, builds upon the initiatives of the International Maritime Organization while also targeting smaller vessels and specific subsectors to ensure comprehensive participation in achieving decarbonization goals.

According to the policy, the UK domestic maritime sector emitted approximately eight million tonnes of CO2 equivalents in 2019. To address this, the government has introduced a comprehensive Plan for Change and aims to align more segments of the maritime industry with broader sustainability objectives. Following the IMO’s lead, the UK has set a target for zero fuel lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the domestic maritime sector by 2050, with interim goals of at least a 30 percent reduction by 2030 and an 80 percent reduction by 2040 compared to 2008 levels.

Key elements of the strategy include expanding the UK’s Emission Trading Scheme to cover domestic maritime GHG emissions from 2026 onwards. Additionally, the UK plans to advocate for global emission pricing at the IMO, starting in 2027. The government also intends to introduce domestic fuel regulations to promote the adoption of zero and net-zero GHG emission fuels and energy sources, subject to further consultation.

The strategy extends to smaller vessels, particularly those below 400 gross tons. While challenges may vary across sectors, the government sees opportunities for sectors like offshore wind support vessels to lead the way. A call for evidence has been issued to kickstart policy development in this area.

Furthermore, the government will explore decarbonization efforts at the port level, assessing port plans for sustainability and broader environmental considerations. Despite acknowledging the challenges ahead, the government highlights potential for investment and economic growth, estimating that decarbonization of the UK maritime sector could generate significant value added and job creation by 2050.

The UK Chamber of Shipping has welcomed the new strategy, emphasizing the importance of regulatory framework, technology, and infrastructure to support the green transition in the maritime industry. UK Chamber CEO Rhett Hatcher expressed readiness to collaborate with the government to achieve a cleaner, more resilient maritime sector in the UK.