Alongside seven other shipping associations the UK Chamber of Shipping has called on nations represented at the International Maritime Organization's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting next week to reach an agreement that:

• is net zero by 2050
• introduces a global standard for fuels 
• introduces a levy to incentivise the uptake of new fuels 

The letter's signatories say that it is of paramount importance to reach an agreement that provides certainty and reduces risks for the enormous investments that will be required, both within the shipping sector and across the maritime value chain, including fuel producers, infrastructure and ports.

The full text of the letter can be read, for free, on Lloyds List. 

Signatories to the letter are:

• Graham Westgarth, president, UK Chamber of Shipping
• Anne H. Steffensen, director general and CEO, Danish Shipping
• Kierstin Del Valle Lachtman, secretary-general, Liberian Shipowners’ Council
• Wilfried Lemmens, managing director, Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association
• Michael Phoon, executive director, Singapore Shipping Association
• Harald Solberg, CEO, Norwegian Shipowners’ Association
• Anders Brodje, manager, The Bahamas Shipowners Association
• Annet Koster, managing director, Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners