Impacts of proposed MBIs on the competitiveness of the Dutch maritime sector

In 2003, the International Maritime Organization’s assembly adopted Resolution A.963(23) on “IMO Policies and Practices related to the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships”. Among others, this resolution “urges the Marine Environment Protection Committee to identify and develop the mechanism or mechanisms needed to achieve the limitation or reduction of GHG emissions from international shipping”. In doing so, the MEPC is urged to give priority to among others the evaluation of market-based solutions (MBMs).

Currently, two main proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships have been submitted to the MEPC:

• An International Fund for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships, submitted by Denmark (MEPC 59/4/5).
• A Global Emission Trading Scheme for International Shipping, submitted by France, Germany and Norway (MEPC 59/4/25).

In preparation to MEPC 59, the Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water management, has asked CE Delft to analyze and compare the two proposals, and to assess and compare the impacts of these MBIs on the competitiveness of the Dutch maritime sector, i.e. the Dutch ship owners, ports and fuel suppliers.