Dramatic hours at the IMO for the green shipping transition

For the archetypal clip successful the past of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) — the UN’s maritime limb — Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez took the podium to state that the ongoing process “is extracurricular the tone of the Organization.” His unprecedented connection came connected Friday, the last time of negotiations astatine the 2nd Extraordinary Session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC.ES/2), convened to beforehand the Zero Emission Framework (Net-Zero Framework – NZF).

The ambiance was tense and uncertain. Disagreements persisted betwixt the Chair and the United States, prompting calls for the involution of the IMO’s Director of Legal Affairs to clarify procedural steps. Frequent suspensions of the league underscored a process seemingly astatine an impasse.

“This is not a ceremonial gathering of the IMO. The full dialog process is not what I envisioned, and I bash not privation for it to beryllium repeated successful the future—it goes against the tone of this Organization. I see myself successful this,” Dominguez said successful a melodramatic address.

Later today, delegates are expected to ballot connected whether to follow the Net-Zero Framework. The connection faces absorption from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, among others. Former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly warned that helium would enforce sanctions connected immoderate states supporting it—a menace that has formed a chill implicit the proceedings.