Strengthening Maritime Resilience, Advancing Together toward a Net-Zero Future

An exclusive interview with Mr. David Osborn, Director of the Marine Environment Division, International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Mr. David Osborn, Director of the Marine Environment Division, International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Amid volatile global trade, mounting geopolitical risks and an accelerating energy transition, the maritime industry finds itself navigating an ever-more complex external environment fraught with layered uncertainties. “Resilience” has hence emerged as a buzzword widely discussed across the industry— not only as the capacity to withstand short-term shocks, but also as the comprehensive ability to maintain stable operations, adapt continuously and evolve amid long-term structural changes.

Themed “Resilient Synergy, Shared Prosperity”, the 2026 Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum has convened core stakeholders spanning international shipping, port operations, energy and related sectors in Ningbo, China, to explore viable pathways for tackling industry challenges and achieving sustainable development. On the sidelines of the event, China Ship Survey conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. David Osborn, Director of the Marine Environment Division at the IMO.

Mr. David Osborn started with the shifting connotation of maritime resilience. He elaborated on IMO’s approach and practice around the preparation and outlook for the 85th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 85), alignment of global regulatory framework and mitigation of fragmentation risks, cross-value chain cooperation approaches for shipping’s decarbonisation, policy instruments for large-scale global supply of green fuels, and safeguard mechanisms for a just transition within the industry. He further shared tangible guidelines for global shipping on how to strengthen its resilience and advance toward a net-zero future.

Q：As the global standard-setting authority for international shipping, how does IMO define maritime resilience amid rising industry uncertainty and complexity?

A：IMO is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. IMO's work supports the UN sustainable development goals.

In today’s world, resilience of the maritime sector is no longer defined solely by the capacity to respond to sudden disruptions. It increasingly reflects the ability to adapt to long-term structural change while continuing to deliver the essential services upon which the global economy depends. This is particularly relevant as shipping navigates one of the most significant transformations in its history: the transition towards a low- and eventually zero-emission future.

The resilience of the maritime sector has been tested repeatedly in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, global shipping demonstrated extraordinary adaptability and endurance. While much of the world came to a standstill, ships continued to transport food, energy, medical supplies and manufactured goods across the globe. International trade remained largely functional because the maritime transport system continued to operate despite unprecedented logistical challenges and restrictions.

At the heart of that resilience were the world's seafarers. Many remained at sea far beyond their contractual periods due to travel restrictions and difficulties in conducting crew changes. They worked under demanding conditions, often separated from their families for extended periods, while continuing to ensure the safe and uninterrupted flow of global trade. The pandemic served as a powerful reminder that shipping is not only about ships, ports and infrastructure; it is fundamentally about people. The dedication, professionalism and sacrifice demonstrated by seafarers during that period deserve our continued recognition and gratitude.

The sector has also had to adapt to an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. Regional conflicts, disruptions to traditional trade routes, evolving security concerns and broader geopolitical tensions have introduced new uncertainties for global shipping. Yet maritime transport has continued to demonstrate remarkable flexibility, adjusting routes, operations and supply chains while maintaining the flow of international commerce. These experiences have reinforced the importance of international cooperation, effective risk management and a strong global regulatory framework.

Against this backdrop, the energy transition represents both a challenge and an opportunity for resilience. Decarbonization is not a short-term response to a crisis but a long-term transformation that will reshape ships, fuels, ports, supply chains and business models. Successfully managing this transition requires resilience in the broadest sense: the ability to innovate, invest, adapt and continuously improve while preserving safety, efficiency and environmental protection.

Resilience depends on the adaptability of the wider maritime ecosystem, including ports, shipyards, fuel suppliers and logistics networks, all of which must evolve together to support new technologies and changing operational requirements.

From the IMO’s perspective, resilience is strengthened when the industry operates within a clear, globally agreed framework that promotes a level playing field and provides a stable long-term direction. The experiences of recent years—from the pandemic to geopolitical disruptions and the accelerating energy transition—have demonstrated the remarkable resilience of international shipping. They have also highlighted the importance of global cooperation, sound regulation and, above all, the people who work throughout the maritime sector to keep world trade moving safely and efficiently every day.

Q：With MEPC 85 scheduled for the end of this year, what preparatory work is IMO currently undertaking? What are your expectations for this session?

A：As we look ahead to MEPC 85, it is important first to recognize the significant progress achieved at MEPC 84 and through the recent intersessional work on greenhouse gas reduction.

The last two intersessional meetings of the Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ship (ISWG-GHG) have demonstrated encouraging progress. During ISWG-GHG 20 and 21, substantial technical work was undertaken on several key implementation elements that will be essential for the future operation of the IMO Mid-Term Measure. The Group advanced the development of guidelines and guidance for the calculation, verification and reporting of GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI), as well as draft guidance on the monitoring, reporting and verification of energy derived from wind propulsion systems. These developments represent important steps toward ensuring that future regulations can be implemented in a practical, transparent and consistent manner.

Good progress was also made on the development of a Sustainable Fuel Certification Scheme. The Group developed base texts for draft guidelines covering the recognition of sustainable fuel certification schemes and the reporting of certification activities, including draft terms of reference for the proposed Sustainable Fuel Certification Scheme Assessment Group. Recognizing the importance of robust fuel traceability, the IMO Secretariat will organize a dedicated expert workshop ahead of MEPC 85 to support further work on chain-of-custody models and fuel supply traceability.

MEPC 84 provided an important opportunity for Member States to consider how best to address the remaining concerns and outstanding issues related to the draft IMO Net-Zero Framework. While differences of views remain on certain elements of the proposed package, the discussions were constructive and forward-looking. Importantly, all delegations that took the floor reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue and expressed their willingness to work together towards convergence on a global measure under the IMO framework. This collective commitment reflects the shared recognition that progress on IMO’s mid-term measures should not be unnecessarily delayed and that a globally agreed solution remains the best path forward.

To facilitate further progress, the Committee agreed to convene two additional intersessional ISWG-GHG meetings ahead of MEPC 85, scheduled for September and November 2026. Member States have been invited to submit proposals on how to address concerns regarding the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, consistent with the ambitions and objectives of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy. MEPC 84 also agreed to resume the second Extraordinary Session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee in December 2026, subject to confirmation by MEPC 85, providing a clear roadmap for the continuation of negotiations.

Ahead of MEPC 85, the Secretariat has already received a number of submissions from Parties to MARPOL Annex VI proposing further amendments to the draft IMO Net-Zero Framework. These submissions will provide an important basis for discussions at the next intersessional GHG meetings and MEPC 85 and, if necessary, at the resumed Extraordinary Session of the Committee.

My expectation for MEPC 85 is that it will build on the constructive spirit demonstrated at MEPC 84 and the progress achieved through the intersessional process. I hope to see continued efforts to bridge remaining differences, further strengthening of consensus around a unified global regulatory framework under MARPOL Annex VI, and greater clarity on the practical implementation arrangements needed to support industry readiness.

At the same time, it is important to recognize the complexity of the issues under discussion. The objective is not necessarily to resolve every outstanding detail at a single meeting. Rather, success should be measured by meaningful convergence, continued trust among Member States, and steady progress toward a globally agreed framework that remains fully aligned with the vision and ambition set out in the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.

The momentum generated over the past year gives us reason for confidence. Through continued dialogue and a shared commitment to multilateral solutions, I believe that MEPC 85 can make another significant contribution toward delivering a practical, effective and globally applicable IMO Mid Term GHG measures.

Q：The maritime industry is increasingly concerned about regulatory fragmentation as regional schemes take effect. How will IMO coordinate global standards with regional regulations to avoid compliance burdens for shipping companies?

A：One of the International Maritime Organization’s most important responsibilities is to provide global regulations for a truly global industry. Shipping is unique in that ships routinely operate across multiple jurisdictions during a single voyage, connecting economies and facilitating more than 80 per cent of global trade by volume. For such an industry, consistency and predictability in regulation are not merely desirable; they are essential.

This principle has guided IMO's work for decades. Throughout its history, the Organization has successfully developed and implemented globally agreed solutions to a wide range of environmental challenges facing international shipping. From the prevention of oil pollution through MARPOL Annex I, to the control of air emissions under MARPOL Annex VI, the reduction of sulphur emissions through the global sulphur limit, the management of ballast water to address invasive aquatic species, and the establishment of energy efficiency requirements for ships, IMO has repeatedly demonstrated that multilateral cooperation can deliver effective and globally applicable outcomes.

A particularly important example can be found in the response to major tanker accidents during the late twentieth century. Following incidents such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill, there were growing calls for unilateral and regional regulatory responses. Through intensive international negotiations, IMO strengthened the global regime under MARPOL Annex I and accelerated the transition towards double-hull tanker requirements. While national and regional initiatives played an important role in driving momentum, the ultimate objective remained the establishment of harmonized international standards that could be applied consistently across the global fleet. This experience demonstrated that global environmental objectives can be achieved most effectively when supported by internationally agreed rules rather than a patchwork of differing requirements.

The same principle applies today as shipping moves towards decarbonization. The challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping is inherently global. Ships operate across international routes, often carrying cargoes between multiple continents during a single voyage. A fragmented regulatory landscape risks creating unnecessary complexity, inefficiencies and uncertainty for shipowners, operators, ports and fuel suppliers.

This is why MARPOL Annex VI remains the cornerstone of IMO’s approach to greenhouse gas regulation. The development of the IMO Mid-term GHG measure seeks to establish a comprehensive and globally consistent system based on internationally agreed requirements, common methodologies and harmonized implementation procedures. Such an approach provides certainty for investment decisions, facilitates innovation and helps ensure that environmental objectives are achieved in a fair and effective manner.

An important element of this work is the development of internationally agreed technical standards. Common methodologies for calculating GHG fuel intensity, lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable fuel certification and reporting requirements are essential to ensure consistency across jurisdictions. Similarly, harmonized data systems, including the IMO Data Collection System and the future GFI Registry, help create a common basis for monitoring compliance and assessing progress.

At the same time, IMO recognizes that Member States and regional organizations may pursue their own climate ambitions and policy initiatives. The Organization remains committed to constructive dialogue and cooperation with all stakeholders to promote compatibility and coherence between regional measures and global IMO regulations. Throughout its history, IMO has consistently sought to reduce regulatory overlap and avoid situations where ships face conflicting obligations under different legal regimes.

This objective is particularly important because fragmented greenhouse gas measures can create a range of unintended consequences. One concern is the risk of double counting, where the same emissions reductions may be claimed under multiple regulatory systems. Another is the potential for double charging, where ships could be subject to multiple carbon pricing mechanisms covering the same emissions, increasing compliance costs without necessarily generating additional environmental benefits.

Ultimately, IMO’s role is to ensure that regulatory diversity does not translate into operational fragmentation. A unified international approach promotes transparency, reduces compliance complexity, minimizes market distortions and provides the confidence needed to support long-term investment in new fuels and technologies. By developing globally agreed rules, internationally harmonized standards and common implementation mechanisms, the Organization helps preserve the efficiency, safety and environmental performance of international shipping while supporting an orderly and equitable transition towards a net-zero future.

Q：Shipping’s decarbonization requires close collaboration across the entire value chain. What role will IMO play in promoting cross-sector coordination to accelerate the green transition?

A：The decarbonization of international shipping is often discussed as a maritime challenge. In reality, it is much broader than that. Shipping can only achieve its climate objectives if the wider ecosystem that supports maritime transport evolves alongside it. No single stakeholder, industry sector or government can deliver this transition alone.

Unlike many other regulatory initiatives in shipping, the transition to low- and zero-emission fuels requires the simultaneous development of entirely new value chains. Shipowners may be willing to invest in new ships, but they need confidence that suitable fuels will be available. Fuel producers may be ready to scale up production, but they require predictable demand signals. Ports need to plan infrastructure investments, while financial institutions seek regulatory certainty before committing capital. Shipyards, engine manufacturers and technology providers must continue to innovate, and seafarers must be equipped with the skills needed to operate new technologies safely.

For this reason, shipping decarbonization is fundamentally a systems challenge that requires coordination across multiple sectors and stakeholders.

In this context, the role of IMO extends beyond its traditional function as a global regulator. The Organization increasingly serves as a global convening platform, bringing together governments, industry, energy producers, financial institutions, technical experts and international organizations to support a coordinated transition. IMO provides a forum where different parts of the value chain can work towards common objectives and develop internationally agreed solutions.

This coordinating role is particularly important because the transition involves significant interdependencies. Decisions made in the energy sector directly affect shipping, while developments in shipping influence investment decisions in fuel production, distribution and infrastructure. Progress in one area cannot be fully realized without corresponding progress in others.

One important example is the ongoing development of the Sustainable Fuel Certification Scheme. As new fuels enter the market, it is essential not only to ensure that they reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also to provide confidence regarding their sustainability credentials and traceability throughout the supply chain. Establishing internationally recognized certification arrangements can help align the interests of fuel producers, suppliers, ship operators and regulators while reducing the risk of fragmented approaches emerging in different regions.

Similarly, the development of lifecycle assessment methodologies represents an important bridge between the maritime and energy sectors. By adopting a Well-to-Wake perspective, IMO seeks to ensure that emissions are assessed across the entire fuel lifecycle, from production and transportation to final use onboard ships. This approach promotes consistency in accounting methodologies and helps ensure that climate benefits are measured accurately regardless of the fuel pathway chosen.

Port readiness is another critical element of the transition. The deployment of alternative fuels will require substantial investments in bunkering facilities, storage systems, safety arrangements and supporting infrastructure. IMO is working with governments, ports and industry partners to support capacity-building, infrastructure planning and practical implementation. These programmes help ensure that developing countries and smaller maritime administrations are able to participate effectively in the transition and benefit from emerging opportunities.

Human capital is equally important. The introduction of fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen and methanol will require new operational procedures, safety protocols and technical competencies. Seafarers will remain at the centre of maritime operations, and their safety must remain the highest priority. This means that training institutions, maritime academies, administrations and industry stakeholders must work together to update training frameworks, develop new competencies and prepare the future maritime workforce for a rapidly changing operating environment.

Financing also plays a central role. The scale of investment required to achieve maritime decarbonization is unprecedented. New ships, fuel production facilities, port infrastructure and supporting technologies will require substantial capital over several decades. Financial institutions and investors therefore have an important role in helping accelerate the transition. Regulatory clarity from IMO can help reduce uncertainty and provide the long-term signals needed to mobilize investment at scale.

Public-private partnerships will also remain essential. Across the world, pilot projects and demonstration initiatives are already helping to test new fuels, technologies and operational concepts under real-world conditions. These projects generate valuable experience, support technology maturation and provide insights that can inform future regulatory development. They also demonstrate how collaboration between governments, industry and research institutions can accelerate innovation and reduce the risks associated with early deployment.

Ultimately, successful decarbonization will depend on the ability of all stakeholders to move forward together. Ships, fuels, ports, infrastructure, finance and people must evolve in parallel. Progress in one area without corresponding progress elsewhere will slow the overall transition.

This is why IMO’s role is not only regulatory but also facilitative. By providing a global platform for dialogue, developing internationally harmonized standards, supporting technical cooperation and fostering partnerships across sectors, the Organization helps align incentives and create the conditions necessary for large-scale deployment of low- and zero-emission solutions. In many respects, the challenge of shipping decarbonization is one of coordination as much as technology, and effective coordination will be one of the key determinants of success in achieving the goals of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.

Q：The limited availability of green fuels has become a major bottleneck in shipping’s decarbonization. What specific policy instruments is the IMO considering to stimulate the large-scale production and global supply of green fuels?

A：A central challenge in the decarbonization of international shipping is not only technological feasibility, but the availability of scalable, affordable and truly sustainable zero and near-zero greenhouse gas emission fuels. While significant progress is being made in fuel development and demonstration projects, global production capacity and supply chains are still at an early stage of maturity. This creates a classic “chicken and egg” problem: fuel producers need certainty of long-term demand before making large-scale investments, while shipowners require assurance of fuel availability before committing to new technologies and ship designs.

IMO is addressing this challenge through the establishment of a global regulatory measure to close the gap between ambition and implementation by creating both demand certainty and investment confidence. A cornerstone of this approach is the proposed global fuel intensity regulation. This mechanism would establish progressively tightening limits on the lifecycle greenhouse gas intensity of marine fuels. By setting a clear and predictable trajectory over time, it sends a strong long-term signal to the market that the GHG intensity of fuels must decline. Importantly, this type of regulation does not prescribe a single fuel or technology pathway. Instead, it allows flexibility while ensuring that all pathways are aligned with a common decarbonization objective. In doing so, it helps guide investment decisions across the entire value chain, from fuel production to ship design and infrastructure development.

Another essential component is the development of robust fuel certification and sustainability standards. As new fuels enter the market, it is critical to ensure that they deliver genuine and verifiable emission reductions over their full lifecycle. The recognition of sustainable fuel certification schemes, combined with chain-of-custody traceability requirements, is intended to safeguard the integrity of the fuel supply chain. These measures help prevent risks such as double counting of emission reductions or the misallocation of environmental benefits, while also strengthening trust among regulators, industry and investors. In this way, certification systems become a foundation for market credibility.

To support these mechanisms, IMO is also strengthening its data infrastructure and transparency systems. The development of a dedicated GHG Fuel Intensity Registry, together with enhanced integration with the IMO Data Collection System, will provide a more comprehensive and harmonized framework for monitoring and reporting emissions. Strengthened monitoring, reporting and verification systems are essential to ensure consistency, accuracy and comparability of data across the global fleet. Reliable data is not only a regulatory requirement; it is also a prerequisite for effective policymaking and investment decision-making.

Finally, it is widely recognized that regulatory frameworks alone are not sufficient without parallel efforts in capacity-building and investment facilitation. Many developing countries face significant challenges in accessing finance, developing infrastructure and preparing regulatory and institutional frameworks for new fuels. Through its technical cooperation programmes, IMO is supporting countries in infrastructure planning, regulatory readiness and the development of bankable projects. Initiatives such as pilot projects and demonstration activities play an important role in testing fuel production, bunkering solutions and operational readiness under real-world conditions. These experiences help reduce risk, build confidence and accelerate the scaling up of new solutions.

By creating clear regulatory signals, ensuring environmental integrity through certification, strengthening data systems and enabling capacity-building, IMO aims to unlock the investment required for large-scale green fuel production.

Ultimately, the objective is to create a self-reinforcing transition pathway in which regulatory certainty drives investment, investment increases supply, and increased supply in turn accelerates the decarbonization of international shipping. This alignment between policy ambition and market development is essential to achieving the goals of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy and delivering a practical, scalable and globally inclusive net-zero transition for the maritime sector.

Q：What measures will IMO take to ensure a just transition for the maritime industry?

A：A just and equitable transition is a core principle of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy and an important consideration in the development of all future greenhouse gas reduction measures.

First and foremost, IMO seeks to ensure a just transition through the development of global regulations for a global industry. International shipping operates across national borders, and a globally agreed framework under MARPOL Annex VI helps provide a level playing field for all ships, regardless of flag, ownership or trading pattern. Common rules reduce the risk of market distortion, regulatory fragmentation and unequal competitive impacts, while providing the certainty needed for long-term investment in low- and zero-emission technologies.

A second important element is inclusive decision-making. All Member States must have the opportunity to participate effectively in the development of future measures. In this regard, the Voluntary Multi-Donor Trust Fund has played an important role in supporting participation from developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries. Since its establishment in March 2023, the Fund has supported the attendance of 193 participants from 53 countries at IMO meetings related to greenhouse gas reduction. This broad participation helps ensure that the concerns and priorities of all regions are reflected in the development of global measures.

Capacity-building and technical cooperation also remain central to IMO’s approach. Through the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme and a range of dedicated climate-related initiatives, IMO supports Member States in strengthening institutional capacity, developing national maritime decarbonization strategies, assessing infrastructure needs and preparing for the implementation of future regulations. Particular attention is given to the needs of developing countries, SIDS and LDCs, recognizing that countries begin the transition from different starting points and face different challenges.

The human element is equally important. The transition to alternative fuels and new technologies will require new skills, new competencies and new safety procedures. Through its work on training and human element issues, IMO is supporting the development of training standards and guidance for fuels such as ammonia, methanol and hydrogen, while promoting maritime education and professional development to ensure that seafarers are fully prepared for the transition.

Finally, IMO supports practical implementation through pilot projects, technology demonstration activities and international cooperation initiatives that help countries and industry gain experience with new technologies, fuels and operational practices. These activities contribute to knowledge sharing, reduce implementation barriers and help ensure that the benefits of innovation are accessible across all regions.

Ultimately, IMO’s objective is not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping, but to do so in a manner that is fair, inclusive and supportive of sustainable development. The transition must create opportunities, build capacity and maintain a level playing field, while ensuring that no country and no region is left behind.