Alexander Saverys, CEO of the frontrunner in maritime innovation CMB.TECH and world-renown Belgian shipping entrepreneur spoke with us last December about his thoughts on the progress of the industry’s decarbonisation. In the run-up to the coming 83rd meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee  of the International Maritime Organization, the Royal Belgian Shipowners’ Association  is sharing the interview as part of its video series featuring Belgian maritime thought leaders.

Citing the entry into force of the EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulation, Alexander considers the regulation a game-changer that shows “the urge to decarbonise is really there.”

However, not everyone in the global maritime industry is ready to commit, and some Member States represented at the IMO are still dragging their feet.

“For our industry to decarbonise, it is time that we stop the talking and start the walking. We have had five very intense but very productive years in analysing what the issues are and how we can solve it,” he continues. “Now our industry needs to take action. Bold action.”

But what sort of bold action does Alexander expect to see, in the vital decision to be made at the MEPC meeting?

“A clear, easy-to-understand framework to act on decarbonisation.”

Such a global regulatory framework will ensure global compliance and level-playing field for the whole industry worldwide. It is the most important pre-requisite to secure the future of the shipping industry, by avoiding any fragmentation or counterproductive regional or national regulatory initiatives.

What the industry needs are the simple, non-prescriptive rules that are applied the same everywhere.

“We are entrepreneurs, we will do the rest,” he concluded.