Unlocking Opportunities for Green Shipping in Africa

International Green Shipping Conference in Africa

Unlocking Opportunities for Green Shipping in Africa

Accra, Ghana

15-16 February 2023

Opening remarks by Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, IMO

Honorable Minister Ofori-Asiamah, Director-General Alonsi, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to be in Accra once again, and to see so many friends from across the continent of Africa gathered here.

I must express my utmost appreciation to our hosts the Government of Ghana for the gracious hospitality as well as for collaborating with the Government of Denmark and the IMO to host this important and timely conference.

Maritime transport continues to be the most economic and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation for large volumes of cargo. This is a certainty, even in uncertain times.

As the global regulator for shipping, IMO continues to ensure that the maritime sector delivers cargo safely, securely and sustainably around the world, with continuous improvements in efficiency.

As we continue on shipping's journey towards sustainability, shipping must embrace decarbonization, alongside digitalization and innovative technology including automation – all the while ensuring the human element is kept front and centre of the technological transition.

Next month – on 6th March and coincidentally on Independence Day for Ghana - we will mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the IMO Convention, which established the Organization.

Through these decades, the international regulatory regime adopted by IMO and its Member States has constantly evolved to keep up with lessons learned from incidents and new demands – such as the imperatives to tackle climate change and to accommodate changing technology.

This year we are also celebrating 50 years since the MARPOL convention was first adopted in 1973 to protect the marine environment from pollution from ships.

To reflect the importance of this milestone, our World Maritime theme for this year is "MARPOL at 50 – our commitment goes on".

MARPOL regulations have made a tremendous difference to how ships are built, designed and operated, and its rules have been adapted over the years to ensure the marine environment is protected, including from GHG emissions. 

But there is more to be done.

As the whole world unites to fight climate change, the biggest challenge facing shipping is reducing its GHG emissions.

The next five months are crucial to ensure that IMO showcases its global leadership towards efforts to decarbonize shipping.

We must lead the way and provide a global framework for the maritime industry to strive for green shipping and at the same time, we must ensure we leave no one behind.

I know that decarbonization presents challenges for many developing countries. At IMO, we are committed to examining and addressing the impact of the measures we adopt to achieve this end.

With this in mind, we are also committed to supporting Member States to unlock the potential that green shipping presents.

I am confident that African countries stand in a prime position to unlock this potential.

As you are aware, IMO Member States are currently actively engaged in the process of revising the Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships, which was adopted in 2018.

We will see the adoption of an upgraded Strategy this year, during the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) session in July.

There is no doubt that the revised GHG Strategy will set the framework for the way forward in support of decarbonizing shipping.

I believe that IMO Member States must be ambitious and bold enough to upgrade the vision and level of ambition taking into account the messages from the latest IPCC climate report to achieve the goals set in the Paris Agreement.

The revised strategy, containing a basket of technical and economic measures, will provide the necessary certainty for all stakeholders to invest in future fuels and ship related technologies.

And it will be the necessary catalyst to unlock new opportunities for Africa, particularly in renewable fuel production, but also from retrofitting ships and digitalizing port operations.

IMO's voyage towards decarbonization has already begun.

The latest set of short-term measures are now in force and I am convinced that these will drive innovation towards transforming shipping.

IMO is, in tandem, working to support Member States in their implementation of these measures, to ensure that no one is left behind in this transition towards a decarbonized future for shipping taking into account the outcome of the impact assessment to be carried out.

I see great opportunities for many countries to be part of the new green future that will see low and zero-carbon fuels being produced and supplied globally.

Here in Ghana, and across the continent, there is a strong willingness and commitment to work with all stakeholders to explore and make a push towards renewable energy, to ensure that maritime transport benefits from the relevant investment and technology transfer, and that the workforce of the future is equipped for this imperative transition.

Knowledge sharing is critical to the attainment of our common objectives.

We can all learn from each other. And IMO is ready to support this process.

The cooperation and dialogue that is the trademark of IMO will be more important than ever to address not only climate change, but also biodiversity loss and marine pollution.

The time to act is now.

Ladies and gentlemen, 

This Conference is an important step in Maritime's decarbonization journey.

I trust that I can count on the support of the delegations present here to support IMO to attain these goals.

Shipping has undergone many successful transitions over the centuries and has voyaged through to new beginnings.

The waters may be stormy at times, but I am convinced that we will, together, through cooperation, collaboration and partnership, ensure that this evolution is achieved and that it is just and equitable.

In the words of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana and a leading figure in the independence efforts across the African continent:

"The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart."

I remain confident about the future of shipping and the maritime sector as it continues to evolve, and I am positive about shipping's desire to contribute to improving the health of the planet and to support sustainable development for all.

I wish you a successful Conference.

Thank you.