Our policies and positions

Need for strong IMO leadership to decarbonize global shipping

Globally, the 80th session of the IMO’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee marked a significant advancement in maritime environmental regulations. The committee adopted a revised strategy including enhanced ambitions to reach net zero GHG emissions from international shipping by 2050.

For Maersk, the two most important and complementary measures in the revised strategy are a mandate to develop a global fuel standard and a maritime GHG emissions pricing mechanism. A global fuel standard of 5-10% green fuels by 2030 will ramp up the use of green fuels in shipping, while the GHG price addresses energy efficiency.

A number of GHG pricing mechanism proposals are under consideration, with different price points and different approaches, e.g. from well-to-wake to a levy to emissions trading or feebate systems. Maersk, along with other members of the World Shipping Council, have put forward a proposal for a Green Balance Mechanism – essentially a subsidy-fee mechanism including an administrative and redistribution element on top, as well as a just and equitable transition element and R&D fee.

Charting the course to a climate neutral continent

The European Union’s Fit for 55 legislative package, aimed at reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, includes the EU Emissions Trading System and the ground-breaking FuelEU Maritime fuel standard, which takes a ‘well to wake’ approach to ensure emissions are not merely shifted from sea to shore. Maersk is preparing for these regional measures and hopes they will be a steppingstone for IMO global measures.

In our view, some of the most important elements are:

• The Emissions Trading System (ETS), introducing the first carbon price on shipping emissions;
• The FuelEU Maritime Regulation, introducing the first fuel standard supporting the use of green fuels;
• The Renewable Energy Directive, setting a legal framework for the development of renewable energy and the production of green e-fuels;
• The EU Taxonomy, establishing a list of sustainable economic activities to shift investments in a more climate friendly direction; and
• The Green Deal Industrial Plan, scaling production of green tech and green fuels.

As these elements come into place, we assess their impact and consider what next steps can propel the energy transition forward.

We call for renewable energy to be built out at scale and speed

Renewable energy lies at the heart of Maersk’s energy transition across all aspects of our business, spanning ocean and landside transport, air transportation, warehousing, and terminals. The successful operation of many of our low carbon products hinges on a reliable supply of renewable electricity, leading to a significant increase in demand for such energy sources.

To drive this transition effectively, Maersk therefore believes that the foremost policy priority should be ensuring access to renewable energy in ample quantities at competitive prices. This requires expediting permitting processes, developing electrical grids and connections, but also creating an enabling environment to produce cost-competitive green electricity as a vital feedstock for green hydrogen-based fuels, which decarbonization of the shipping industry depends on. Initiatives such as US’s Inflation Reduction Act and EU’s Hydrogen Bank are important initiatives to facilitate the transition.

Responsible ship recycling as important as ever in view of decarbonisation efforts by industry

There is a growing need on a global scale for safe and environmentally sound recycling of vessels that have reached their end-of-life cycle. This development is supported and accelerated by international and regional measures to reduce GHG from shipping, for example IMO regulations on EEXI (Energy Efficiency Existing Ships Index) and CII (Carbon Intensity Indicator).

Maersk has developed its own Responsible Ship Recycling Standard (RSRS) setting heightened standards on Health & Safety, Environment, Anti-corruption, Subcontractors and Labour and Human Rights. Maersk has worked closely with different yards across the world and notably in Alang in India on implementing the RSRS when recycling a Maersk vessel.

Furthermore, responsible ship recycling can contribute to the creation of a viable ecosystem and circular economy around “Green Steel” (re-used steel). Steel is the second largest GHG polluting industry accounting for 7 % GHG release of all emissions.

Making sure everyone gets home safe

We are committed to protecting our people, our business partners, the communities we work alongside and the customers we serve. We operationalise this commitment by ensuring all A.P. Moller - Maersk operations are carried out safely and securely with minimal impact to the environment.

We achieve this commitment by providing a safe, healthy, secure work environment, complying with relevant HSSE legal and contractual requirements, ensuring business continuity to our customers through the consistent application of effective HSSE related processes. We work continuously to embed HSSE risk management across our operations and decision making processes.

Read more in our HSSE policy.

We review our membership status once a year to ensure that our own policy engagement, as well as the trade associations in which we are members lobby in alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement of 1.5 degrees Celsius, as well as other key issues. This includes assessing how their approach and outreach reflect our views and values. The review in 2023 did not lead to any changes to our engagement or membership status.