No hiding shipping's disappointment at IMO setback

TWO weeks ago, the main shipping industry organisations appeared to be talking up the chances of a proposal for a research and development (R&D) fund being accepted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The issue was considered last week by the UN agency's Marine Environment Protection Committee at its 77th meeting (MEPC 77).

In the event, MEPC 77 put off a decision and sent it to a working group for further consideration.

The disappointment among the main shipping organisations has been palpable. They put forward this initiative, now termed the IMO Maritime Research Fund (IMRF), and have been pushing it strongly for some time now. Moreover, the proposal, for a US$2 per tonne levy on bunker fuel, is now well understood by everybody. It is difficult to see what further consideration is needed and not regard the deferral as prevarication.