Published on 6 January 2025

Steering towards carbon-neutral ocean shipping: the 2023 IMO strategy

Shipping is a comparatively cost-effective and low-carbon mode of transport. Maritime shipping accounts for about 3% of global CO₂ emissions due to the vast volumes of goods it transports. Cargo and passenger ships largely use heavy fuel oil (HFO) and marine diesel. The burning of these fuels leads to high pollutant emissions. The 2023 strategy of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) seeks to mitigate the impact of shipping on climate change.