This week, Marc Nuytemans, Board Member of the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association gives his thoughts about what it will take for shipping’s decarbonisation to succeed.

“Given the fact that you need to make long-term investments, you need a framework to operate in,” says Nuytemans. “There is a role for regulators in making that transition possible.”

But with the various regional and national regulations currently on the table or being implemented, Nuytemans does not think they are the right approach.

First of all, regulations should not be prescriptive. Shipowners are very creative. They have it in their DNA to find suitable solutions for the future.

Secondly, the biggest issue the maritime industry faces is that we are trying to regulate an international business with national legislation.

“It just doesn’t work.

“There needs to be a global framework for shipowners to which they can contribute equally each to its part. That is the only way to drive innovation within the shipping industry,” he added.

Concluding his remarks, Nuytemans thinks shipping should be given the driver’s seat in the fight against climate change:

“If the shipping industry is responsible for 85% of the world’s external trade, they should be at the forefront of leading the world to a more stable decarbonised future.”