"We are disappointed by the lack of progress on setting new levels of ambition for GHG reductions to provide shipping with a clear net zero target for 2050. But we remain optimistic that a deal can still be stuck at the crucial MEPC meeting in July.
More positively, governments are increasingly understanding the value of the ICS Fund and Reward proposal to accelerate the production and uptake of low and zero-carbon fuels."
24 March 2023
Statement
17 March 2023
Statement
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) welcomes the historic breakthrough in finalising the text the landmark High Seas Treaty agreement achieved at the United Nations (UN) this weekend. Nearly 200 nation States took part in the discussions and while there is still some work to do before the text is officially adopted, the agreement on substance marks the culmination of nearly two decades of work.
7 March 2023
Statement
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents over 80% of the world merchant fleet, strengthens national association membership with two new members.
The ICS Board has approved FEDIL Shipping, Luxembourg and the Brazilian Association of Cabotage Owners to join as Affiliate Member National Associations.
Following the China Shipowner’s Association joining ICS earlier this year, ICS membership now comprises national shipowners’ associations from 41 countries and territories.
3 March 2023
Press Release
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and Suez Canal Authority (SCA) extend
landmark agreement.
The extension to the agreement, initially signed in May 2022 ahead of the COP27
meeting and intended to be a year-long commitment, signifies an ongoing
commitment to open communication between the ICS and the SCA.
The extension of the agreement represents formalisation of dialogue.
1 March 2023
Press Release
In recent years, shipping has rapidly developed and evolved to meet new realities, from working with low flash point fuels for net zero requirements to operating in polar regions, prompting changes to regulations in the IMO International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). STCW was designed to regulate the training and certification of seafarers and forms the basis for standards of crew competence that are enforced worldwide. A related challenge now faces shipping companies regarding crewing their ships with appropriately trained personnel.
23 February 2023
Press Release
In just a few days, on 24 February 2023, will mark one year since the onset of the war in Ukraine. The International Chamber of Shipping, in collaboration with over 30 other organisations and companies, have written a joint open letter urgently calling on the UN Secretary General - His Excellency António Guterres – to prioritise the immediate release of the 331 seafarers and 62 ships that remain trapped in Ukrainian ports.
Read the joint industry open letter here.
20 February 2023
Statement
The Board of the International Chamber of Shipping has submitted a revised proposal to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that reaffirms the industry’s commitment to meet 2050 net zero carbon goals and sets out the full details of how this can be achieved via a ‘Fund and Reward’ system.
15 February 2023
Press Release
Experts from the Maritime Just Transition Task Force told Africa’s maritime leaders in Accra today that their continent was well placed to take a large share of the new jobs and training places expected from shipping’s green transition.
15 February 2023
Press Release
A 25% increase seen in International Labour Organization (ILO) reporting on seafarer wellbeing compared to last year.
Reporting on ILO labour standards is vital to improve seafarer welfare.
A record number of flag administrations achieve full qualification status under the US Qualship 21 programme.
30 January 2023
Press Release