Climate vulnerable nations back shipping emissions levy
A coalition of countries that are highly vulnerable to the effects of global warming has called on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to establish a compulsory greenhouse gas levy on international shipping.
The Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) — an international partnership of over 50 countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific and elsewhere — is also advocating for "ambitious targets in domestic maritime emissions" and for next-generation vessels and marine fuels "to be equitable" for all states.
It said it wants the majority of the money generated from the levy to be reinvested in supporting urgent climate action, in particular in developing, vulnerable countries. The demands are part of the CVF Dhaka-Glasgow Declaration launched at the UN Cop 26 climate conference.
The idea of a carbon levy on shipping has already received significant support from industry bodies. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has suggested a global carbon levy to accelerate decarbonisation in shipping, as well as tougher emissions reduction targets for the industry. In a report published today in conjunction with consultancy Ricardo, the ICS also called for a "massive scaling up of finance for research and development", which is crucial for decarbonising the sector.
The European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) is advocating for a dedicated fund under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to stabilise the carbon price, where revenues would be used to develop research and development projects and to lower the price of cleaner fuels, making them more competitive with conventional bunkers. The ECSA has stated a preference for international regulation at IMO level, but thinks action should also be taken at EU level, president Claes Berglund said.
The ECSA said it believes that the charterer, "the entity responsible for taking operational decisions", should bear the burden of the costs of the EU ETS. The World Shipping Council has said that including shipping in the EU ETS will help decarbonise the industry "but EU action threatens to undermine broader international progress if the ETS extends outside of the EU".
Earlier this week, Denmark and the US urged the IMO to set more ambitious targets to achieve zero emissions in shipping by 2050. The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping has said that the maritime industry will not be able to reach net zero emissions by 2050 without a fuel levy to encourage the use of alternative bunkers.
Related news posts
Indonesia aims to launch 15 CCUS projects by 2030
Indonesia aims to launch 15 CCUS projects by 2030
Singapore, 5 July (Argus) — Indonesia aims to bring 15 potential carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects onstream between 2026-30. Indonesia has carbon storage potential in 20 basins, comprising 573bn t of saline aquifer storage and 4.8bn t of depleted oil and gas reservoirs across Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua, according to the country's ministry of energy and mineral resources (ESDM). The government is pushing for the Sunda and Asri basins as well as the Bintuni basin to become CCS hubs, said the ESDM's director of upstream oil and gas business development, Ariana Soemanto. Indonesia in January issued a presidential regulation on the implementation of CCS activities, which sets out the framework for the country's CCS development. CCS development in Indonesia can be undertaken via two pathways under the regulation, said Ariana. The first is the implementation of co-operation contracts in existing oil and gas areas by upstream contractors. The second pathway allows parties to establish a separate CCS business through target injection zone exploration permits and carbon storage operation permits. The regulation also allows CCS operators to set aside 30pc of the storage capacity from international sources. Singapore was the first country to sign an agreement with Indonesia after the regulation was issued, to co-operate on cross-border CCS. Countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia have the storage space to sequester captured CO2, but not the funds to develop the infrastructure. Direct government investment is necessary to develop and install CCS infrastructure such as pipelines, and carbon pricing could be a solution . Indonesia also launched its carbon exchange in September last year. By Prethika Nair Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Hengyuan's Malaysian refinery completes LRCCU repairs
Hengyuan's Malaysian refinery completes LRCCU repairs
Singapore, 4 July (Argus) — China-based independent Hengyuan Refining (HRC) has completed repairs at the long residue catalytic cracking unit (LRCCU) at its Malaysian 156,000 b/d Port Dickson refinery on 30 June. The LRCCU was shut after a leakage at a carbon monoxide boiler on 19 June. It is a gasoline production unit and typically uses residual fuel as a feedstock to produce full-range catalytic cracked gasoline (CCG). Inspection activities for HRC's hydrogen manufacturing unit and Euro4Mogas facilities were also complete. The refinery has restarted the units and is "recovering to its normal operational level", said HRC. The LRCCU issue had prompted HRC to offer rare and prompt straight-run fuel oil cargoes, and buy gasoline cargoes for June and July loading. The Port Dickson refinery houses two crude distillation units, a LRCCU, two naphtha treaters, a merox plan, two reformers and a gasoil treatment plant. Approximately 85pc of its oil products are sold domestically in Malaysia. By Aldric Chew Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Upper Mississippi locks closed by high water
Upper Mississippi locks closed by high water
Houston, 3 July (Argus) — High water levels on the upper Mississippi River have caused several lock closures and spurred delays for barge carriers. Lock and Dams (L&D) 12, 16 and 17 on the upper Mississippi River closed 2 July and are expected to remain closed through the rest of this week and possibly into the next, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers. Locks 11, 13, 18 and 20 are expected to close on 4 July. The Corps will likely close locks 14 and 22 on 5 July, while lock 15 is expected to close 6 July. The Corps said the duration of the July 4-5 closures is unclear. Another 2-5 inches of rain fell along the western Corn Belt in the past week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. High river conditions led to major flood status at Dubuque, Iowa, while other locations along the river are at moderate flooding levels. Water levels are 4-5ft below record highs on the upper Mississippi River. The outdraft at lock and dam 16 was at 211,444 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Tuesday, compared with typical flow of 41,100cfs. Major barge carrier American Commercial Barge Line anticipates 7-10 days of disruption followed by a 2-3 week catch-up. By Meghan Yoyotte Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
US services contract in June, signal broad weakening
US services contract in June, signal broad weakening
Houston, 3 July (Argus) — Economic activity in the US services sector contracted in June by the most since 2020 while a report earlier this week showed contraction in manufacturing, signaling a broad-based slowdown in the economy as the second quarter came to an end. The Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) services purchasing managers index (PMI) registered 48.8 in June, down from 53.8 in May. Readings above 50 signal expansion, while those below 50 signal contraction for the services economy. The June services PMI "indicates the overall economy is contracting for the first time in 17 months," ISM said. "The decrease in the composite index in June is a result of notably lower business activity, a contraction in new orders for the second time since May 2020 and continued contraction in employment." The business activity/production index fell to 49.6 from 61.2. New orders fell by 6.8 points to 47.3. Employment fell by 1 point to 46.1. Monthly PMI reports can be volatile, but a services PMI above 49 over time generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. "Survey respondents report that in general, business is flat or lower, and although inflation is easing, some commodities have significantly higher costs," ISM said. The prices index fell by 1.8 points to 56.3, showing slowing but robust price gains. ISM's manufacturing PMI fell to 48.5 in June from 48.7 in May, ISM reported on 1 July. It was the third consecutive month of contraction and marked a 19th month of contraction in the past 20 months. Wednesday's weaker than expected ISM report, together with a Wednesday report showing initial jobless claims last week rose to their highest in two years, slightly increase the odds that the Federal Reserve may lower its target rate later this year after maintaining it at 23-year highs since last year in an effort to stem inflation. By Bob Willis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Business intelligence reports
Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.
Learn more