The World Shipping Council (WSC) has published its latest update to its WSC Dual-Fuel Fleet Dashboard, which tracks the global liner shipping industry’s investment in vessels capable of running on renewable and lower-emission fuels, and how the liner fleet is preparing for the energy transition.

The World Shipping Council says that constructive engagement on a global emissions reduction measure at this week’s International Maritime Organization Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84) meeting is encouraging and necessary to deliver on the IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy.

In advance of a critical meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84) this statement is made jointly on behalf of BIMCO, CLIA, ICS, INTERCARGO, INTERFERRY, INTERTANKO and WSC, representing the global commercial shipping fleet.

The World Shipping Council today welcomed the European Commission’s focus on strengthening port security and advancing maritime decarbonisation in its EU Ports Strategy and Maritime Industrial Strategy. 

The World Shipping Council (WSC) today joined political leaders and transport industry representatives at the United Nations launch of the Decade of Sustainable Transport, highlighting the essential role of ocean shipping in cutting emissions across global supply chains.

The World Shipping Council (WSC) has released the third edition of the WSC Whale Chart, a global voyage planning aid that maps where slower ship speeds and route changes can help protect whales from ship strikes and reduce underwater noise.

“The European Commission’s publication today of the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) is a promising first step toward accelerating the energy transition in Europe for shipping,” says Jim Corbett, WSC’s Environmental Director, Europe.

London, 17 October 2025 — Recognising the challenging and complex negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) this week, the World Shipping Council (WSC) has underlined the importance of using the year ahead to clarify and develop the IMO Net-Zero Framework.

Leading international maritime associations and organisations reiterate our strong support for adoption by the world’s governments at the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) of the “Net-Zero Framework” at the critical Extraordinary Session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee next week (14-17 October).

The World Shipping Council has welcomed an unprecedented global agreement at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) today, as a critical next step toward shipping decarbonization.
Following a contentious and difficult debate, the IMO reached agreement on a measure to be finalized and adopted in October. The measure establishes a GHG fuel standard and framework that, if adopted, will require continuous reductions in GHG fuel intensity beginning in 2028 with ongoing reductions over the next two decades. IMO is poised to move forward on a topic that has evaded legally binding standards in many other fora for decades.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is on the cusp of striking the world’s first global carbon pricing deal for any industry. “If that happens, it’ll be a major milestone for climate policy and a turning point for shipping,” said World Shipping Council President & CEO Joe Kramek.

To succeed, the measure must help bridge the price gap between fossil fuels and cleaner alternatives, including zero and near-zero (ZNZ) fuels. That’s essential to drive investment in green energy and fuel supply, and to build the economies of scale needed to reduce cost over time.

The World Shipping Council (WSC) today released new research that shows both renewable-capable vessels and renewable fuels could be available to meet EU 2030 targets, but that the price gap between fossil and renewable fuels is the major barrier to making decarbonisation a reality.

Washington D.C., 23 October 2024 – The World Shipping Council (WSC) is pleased to announce the release of the second edition of the WSC Whale Chart, a vital voyage planning tool aimed at helping the global merchant shipping industry protect whale populations. Building on the positive response to the first edition, published in November 2023, this updated version incorporates additional features to assist ship operators in reducing the risk of vessel strikes and mitigating underwater noise pollution, both of which can significantly impact marine life.

The maritime industry, represented by the signatory industry organizations, is united in its pursuit of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 consistent with the International Maritime Organization’s 2023 Strategy. Significant work remains and IMO Member States must build on the historic momentum that delivered the 2023 Strategy to develop, adopt, and implement appropriate mid-term GHG reduction measures.

Washington/Singapore/Brussels/London, 30 July 2024 – Following positive response and encouraging conversations with IMO member nations and other stakeholders, the World Shipping Council (WSC) has further developed the Green Balance Mechanism, a regulatory measure designed to ensure that shipping meets it net-zero goal by 2050 in an efficient, just and equitable way. A detailed proposal, including design updates and regulatory text for the Green Balance Mechanism, has been submitted to support the timely development of effective climate regulations for shipping at the IMO ISWG-GHG 17 and MEPC 82 meetings.

Washington/Singapore/Brussels/London, 11 June 2024 – The World Shipping Council (WSC) today released its annual report on containers lost at sea, showing a significant decrease to 221 containers lost in 2023. While this is the lowest number recorded since the survey began in 2008, the WSC underscores the ongoing need for stringent safety measures and constant vigilance, as every container lost at sea is one too many.

The industry bodies of the Cargo Integrity Group continue in their mission to improve safety in the global supply chain. The Group has identified a number of cargoes, commonly carried in containers, that under certain conditions can cause dangerous incidents. They urge everyone handling these goods to follow all applicable regulations, the CTU Code and industry best practices.

Brussels, April 18, 2024 — The World Shipping Council (WSC) is calling on the EU to design policy frameworks that facilitate the essential role of shipping in a globally connected economy and to forge the path to net-zero shipping by 2050 in partnership with industry.

Every year, 250 million containers are transported across the world with food, clothes, electronics and other goods we all need. While crucial for the smooth functioning of the global supply chain, containers and their cargoes can also harbour and transfer contaminating pests. All parties in the supply chain have a shared responsibility for stopping the spread of pests by keeping cargo and containers clean, and the Prevention of Pest Contamination of Containers: Joint Industry Guidelines for the Cleaning of Containers provide easy-to-use best practices to help everyone do their part. For this update, we are also happy to welcome ICHCA as a new partner together with BIC, COA, IICL and WSC.

Over the past two weeks, IMO member states and organisations have collaborated to align and organise the work towards mid-term measures to decarbonise the shipping industry. MEPC 81 was an important opportunity for all parties to review and discuss the many proposals on the table. The MEPC has agreed on a framework for the mid-term measures including a fuel standard and an economic measure, as well as set up the necessary expert groups, laying the foundation for an agreement that will deliver on the target of net-zero by 2050.