Government criticised for a lack of progress on maritime decarbonisation plans

This statement was a reaction to the government’s response to the EAC’s predecessor Committee’s report, Net Zero and UK Shipping, also published on 13 February.

In its response to the EAC, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to working with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to strengthen global greenhouse gas reduction measures. However, the EAC argues that these efforts are undermined by the lack of a clear domestic strategy for reducing emissions from UK shipping and ports.

Committee Chair Toby Perkins MP, in a letter to the Transport Secretary, calls for clarity on government funding for research and development in clean fuels and technology, emphasising the need for consistent policy direction to support the sector’s decarbonisation.

Alexandra Herdman, Logistics UK’s Senior Policy Manager said: “With shipping being a difficult sector to decarbonise and with no clear green fuel for the future, we continue to urge the government to set out a clear strategy for the maritime industry to reduce emissions.

“Logistics UK’s members have long been calling for support and clarity to decarbonise the maritime sector and government needs to provide the direction to make this change happen.”

The UK Chamber of Shipping’s full response can be found here.