Three challenges set for shipping sector

At the annual International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) conference – in the presence of International Maritime Organization (IMO) secretary general, Kitack Lim – the new ICS chairman, Esben Poulsson, suggested that the shipping industry must respond proactively to three major challenges: maintaining the authority of the IMO; addressing the legitimate demand for even greater levels of environmental protection; and making policy makers better aware of the industry’s existing achievements. With respect to protecting the global maritime regulatory system, provided so successfully by the IMO, Poulsson said this is being challenged by the increasing tendency for EU member states’ positions to be coordinated by the EU, with negative impacts on the quality of IMO debates and its decision making.