The UK Chamber of Shipping (UKCS) has responded to the publication of a new maritime decarbonisation strategy for the UK maritime sector.
The strategy, announced by the Department for Transport on 25 March 2025 sets out the government goals to reduce GHG emissions by 30% by 2030, 80% by 2040 and to zero by 2050.
UKCS CEO Rhett Hatcher said: “The UK Chamber is proud to have led the way on decarbonisation, publicly calling for the global shipping industry to reach net zero emissions by 2050, prior to the UK government and IMO commitments. Across our sector, we have already invested in new technologies and pioneering innovations to meet our commitments and are leading the drive towards net zero. We therefore welcome the government’s publication of the maritime decarbonisation strategy, as a much-needed successor to the 2019 Clean Maritime Plan. The Government’s strategy must now be matched by delivering the regulatory framework, technology and infrastructure, including a shore power revolution, required to support the green transition for UK maritime, bringing benefits to maritime communities and the UK economy. We look forward to working collaboratively alongside government to progress this important agenda and reach our shared goals of a cleaner, more resilient maritime sector in the UK.”
The strategy outlines how the government will seek to meet net zero targets set by the IMO in its 2023 Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships, and comes ahead of crucial discussions at the IMO at MEPC 83.
Furthermore, the strategy sets out further detail on the forthcoming extension of the UK ETS regime to the UK maritime sector and plans to reduce emissions from shipping through development of future fuels. The UK strategy is expected to place an emphasis on GHG emissions from smaller vessels, which may come outside the IMO guidelines, as well as encouraging net zero ports, and the UK government has announced two calls for evidence on these topics.
UKCS says it will analyse the strategy in detail, and will continue to work with Government to further discussions on this crucial agenda[BT1] .
Image: UKCS supports net-zero shipping and ports (source: UK Chamber of Shipping/Maersk)
