Cargo ship off the coast of the United States. Historical turn: the world shipping sector takes a course for zero emissions The goals in the field of sustainable development for a long time navigation remained away from global efforts to combat climate change. But now the industry demonstrates a unique example of international cooperation: even the largest transport sector can take on climatic obligations. every day tens of thousands of ships transport grain, clothes, electronics and cars through the oceans. About 90 percent of world trade is carried out by sea. At the same time, emissions from shipping are made up of three percent of the global volumes of greenhouse gases. ~ 60 > years, the solution to the problem of climatic consequences was postponed. Everything changed in April 2025, when the International Marine Organization (IMO), which regulates issues related to global shipping, approved a historical plan to achieve zero emissions by the middle of the century. 62 > 62 ~ General Secretary of IMO Arsenio Dominges. “this proves that the multilateral system and the UN are still relevant and important,” said the General Secretary of IMO Arsenio Dominges in an interview with the UN news service. ~ 60 >~ 60 > plan, the IMO RAM IMO was called after the zero emissions became called. The result of many years of negotiations between member states-from small island countries to the largest sea powers. “I can talk about those amazing moments for hours when we worked closely with the delegates of all countries in order to achieve an agreement,” recalls Dominges. ~ 60 > long way to breakthrough ~ 60 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62IMO has been working on reducing emissions for more than ten years: since 2011, energy efficiency measures have been introduced, in 2018 the first strategy appeared. In 2023, specific goals were set-to reduce emissions by 20 percent by 2030 and by 70 percent by 2040, as well as to gradually introduce fuel types with zero or close to zero emissions. The 2025 framework program will make these execution of these tasks mandatory. ~ 60 > “We are concentrated first on the 2030 year … This will pave the way to the next stage and shows what additional measures are needed,” said Dominges. 62 ~~ 60 > price. progress ~ 60 > in 2023 the volume of sea transportation of goods exceeded 12 billion tons. “Even the chair you are sitting on is most likely delivered by the sea,” said the head of IMO. However, effective logistics is accompanied by environmental costs. A sailor on board the ship in the port in England. Now the industry is waiting for new rules: the global fuel standard and the mechanism of pricing of emissions. Those who exceed the limits will either buy “compensating units” or invest in a special IMO fund. Low levels of emissions will be able to sell their excesses. Fund funds will go to support countries with low income, transfer of technologies to them and expand access to environmentally friendly types of fuel. The control will provide control and the IMOs itself through certification, audit and reporting. balance between the climate and trade measures will touch the vessels of more than 5000 gross-registered tons, which are coming 85 percent of industry emissions. According to the head of the IMO, the possible influence of decisions on supplies and prices was taken into account in advance: “Decarbonization has a price. But there is a price of pollution. ” The organization is trying to minimize the impact on commerce – and have provided for the mechanisms of industry support. ~ 60 > read also: global global global Trade in 2025: risks increase 60 ~ p > key role will be played by innovation: fuel based on hydrogen and ammonia, wind and solar energy, as well as technologies on board the vessel, allowing to collect emissions & Co₂ before they enter the air. Dominges noted the importance of teaching sailors and ensuring their safety when switching to new types of fuel. ~ 60 > to the question of the final coordination of the plan at the IMO session in October, he answered: “Of course, I am sure [that the plan will be adopted]. We have just proved that the multilateral system works and that the IMO is ready to fulfill its obligations. ”~ 60 > now the task is to develop practical guidelines, including price mechanisms. “This is not a question – will it turn out. We already succeed, ”said the head of Dominges.