The Maritime Executive Article: ABS Proposes Using Efficiency Credits to Augment IMO Carbon Rules
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has proposed crediting energy-efficiency measures — not just green fuels — as a way to bridge the divide over carbon regulation at the IMO. Shipping interests are split between those wanting to hold to the negotiated Net Zero Framework, built around a carbon levy and IMO-administered fuel-subsidy fund, and those seeking to alter or remove the levy and slow the rollout to match operational realities.
ABS argues that green fuels won’t be available at every port from day one, leaving tramp-trade and irregular-route vessels without a clear compliance path. Pointing to efficiency gains exceeding 20 percent over the past decade — through voyage optimization, air lubrication, wind-assisted propulsion, and AI-driven routing — the class society says recognizing efficiency as a compliance pathway would give the industry a credible near-term bridging mechanism.
Under the proposal, modeled on Liberia’s alternative submission, owners could earn carbon credits for efficiency and trade surplus credits between fleets, letting easier-to-improve ships effectively subsidize harder-to-decarbonize tonnage. ABS notes this would also reduce reliance on the IMO-administered fund — a key sticking point for the U.S. delegation.
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