A.P. Moller-Maersk’s (Maersk) CEO has proposed a global tax on diesel ship fuel to encourage carriers, shippers and other stakeholders to pursue environmentally friendly technologies and operations.
In an online update, Soren Skou has proposed a tax of $450 per tonne of fuel to “bridge the gap between the fossil fuels consumed by vessels today and greener alternatives that are currently more expensive”.
“Fossil fuels cannot keep being cheaper than green fuels, Skou said. “Action is required now, it is vital to consider all greenhouse gases, not just CO2, on a full life cycle analysis, otherwise we will not be able to truly decarbonize shipping by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement.
“Governments and regulators play a key role in securing production and availability of zero carbon fuels for shipping.
“Maersk proposes a Market Based Measure of at least $450/t fuel in the medium term at current oil price.
“We all have a joint responsibility to do everything in our power to reduce carbon emissions. We owe that to customers, consumers and society in general.”
In May 2021, Maersk issued a call for partners in cutting emissions in maritime operations and across the supply chain.
Before that in February 2021 it said its goal of achieving an entirely carbon-neutral vessel will be operational by 2023, seven years earlier than anticipated.
The carrier has unveiled a number of innovations in its efforts to make container handling and transportation cleaner. These include the biggest ever eco-friendly shipping pilot as part of a collaboration with Heineken, Phillips, Unilever, DSM and FrieslandCampina in 2019.
