The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and C40 Cities have hosted a reception at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London to highlight the role of port cities in maritime decarbonisation.
The event, titled Port cities driving a just and equitable maritime decarbonisation, took place on 28 April during the 84th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 84).
Representatives from London, Oslo and Los Angeles presented climate action plans to IMO member state delegates, with a focus on clean energy, alternative shipping fuels, port electrification and workforce development.
The reception included speeches from Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy; Anita Leirvik North, Vice Mayor of Oslo for Urban Development; Heidi Leander Neilson, Port Planning Director at Oslo Havn; and Erick Martell, Senior Director of Economic Infrastructure, Ports, City of Los Angeles.
The event was hosted by Alisa Kreynes, Director, Ports and Shipping at C40 Cities, and Patrick Verhoeven, Managing Director at IAPH. Closing remarks were delivered by Siân Foster, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Port of London Authority (PLA).
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Speakers outlined measures including multilevel partnerships, collaboration across the maritime value chain, clean fuel infrastructure investment, electrification of port operations and programmes to support green jobs.
Foster also highlighted the PLA’s role in UK trade and its work to safeguard the Thames. She encouraged delegates to attend the 2026 IAPH World Ports Conference, which will take place at Olympia, London from 3 to 6 November, with the PLA as headline sponsor.
The reception was held as MEPC 84 met at IMO Headquarters from 27 April to 1 May. Following the adjournment of a decision on the IMO Net Zero Framework at an extraordinary MEPC meeting in October, member states are considering how shipping will address greenhouse gas emissions and marine pollution.
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Patrick Verhoeven, Managing Director at IAPH, said: “Sustainability and maritime decarbonisation are of critical interest to port cities and communities. For IAPH member ports located in or close to cities and urban areas – or owned by cities – licence to operate and to grow relies to a large extent on the support and buy-in of local communities.
“IAPH has worked consistently on fostering port-city relations through the Community Building theme of the World Ports Sustainability Program and we will continue to promote this work. In C40 Cities we see a global network of mayors driving climate action – this event showed that such ambitions can align with the regulatory goals of the IMO. ”
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Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, stated: “As the home-city to the IMO headquarters, London is pleased to join local leaders at the IMO to shine a spotlight on climate leadership.
“Cities are at the frontline of the climate crisis and it’s essential we work together to tackle it. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through shipping is crucial and something we must prioritise as we continue building a greener, better London for everyone.”
For more information:
International Association of Ports and Harbors – https://www.iaphworldports.org/
