AFMESI’s Position on Ship Decarbonization as it Tops Agenda @ IMO’s MEPC 83
The African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI) is excited that from the 7th to the 11th of April 2025, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) London will host Member States on the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) meeting. MEPC 83 has turned out to be a landmark meeting, as top on the agenda will be the negotiation of critical policy measures to implement the 2023 IMO Revised GHG (Green House Gases) Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, aiming for net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. This is also with emphases on ensuring a just and equitable transition, taking into account national circumstances.
AFMESI wishes to congratulate, support and fully align with IMO on this noble feat, noting that it has been a journey over the years to get the conversation to this point. AFMESI will also want at this juncture, to bring to the fore the following to ensure an equitable, just, inclusive and transparent transition as so desired:
- AFMESI reaffirms the organization’s support of IMO’s decisive climate action as demonstrated in its call for equitable and sustainable Greenhouse Gas Reduction (GHG) and the decarbonization of shipping. As such, AFMESI welcomes the transition to e-fuels and other zero-emission technologies. However, we wish to further suggest that technology transfer, capacity-building, and regional infrastructure development should be well incorporated into the transition pathways for developing countries.
- Some African countries are well endowed with fossil fuels and depend on them as major sources of GDP. Without the infrastructure and efficient vessels to incentivise a just transition in such countries, they will be significantly limited from getting into the “green corridor” as early as expected without contributing to socioeconomic instability. Beyond initiatives to support Africa in e-fuel production and distribution, a “carrot” approach is needed to encourage developing nations to abide by relevant regulations.
- As a pan-African Organization, AFMESI is inviting for consideration and appealing that Africa’s future in global shipping will depend not only on reducing emissions, but on how well momentum is built towards the African Blue Economy agenda in the area of economic diversification, job creation, poverty and hunger reduction, while maintaining the health of the oceans..
As AFMESI eagerly anticipates the outcome of MEPC 83 we would want to indicate our availability to support regions or African countries in achieving this vision.
In conclusion, we wish IMO and the contracting Parties a fruitful deliberation.
Felicia Chinwe Mogo, PhD
President, AFMESI for TEAM AFMESI
