Russian shipowners expressed their position for COP21

Russian Chamber of Shipping voiced their position before the climate conference in Paris, expressing concern over the introduction of additional restrictive measures on greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport. 

The shipping transport is responsible for only 2.2% of global GHG emissions, while transport sector as a whole accounts for 14%. Despite the growth in world trade, the shipping transport managed to reduce CO2 emissions by 10% since 2007. This significant decrease is explained by the improvement of operational measures, the introduction of filters and energy efficient technologies.

According to Russian shipowners, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities contradicts with the Article 1 of the International Maritime Organization Convention concerning the universality of regulation and non-discrimination.

Carbon protectionism is the main issue of shipowners concern – additional fuel surcharges and new technical regulations may benefit the producers of energy efficient equipment in the OECD countries and significantly increase the cost of transportation of Russian goods.

At the same time Russian shipowners fully support the efforts of the international community to combat climate change. Moreover Russia is the 35th country that developed national action plan to reduce CO2 emissions from maritime transport.