Athens, Greece. Cyprus shipping deputy minister Marina Hadjimanolis joined ministers and international officials in a debate on maritime decarbonisation as the United States set out objections to the Net Zero Framework while backing the institutional role of the IMO.
Ministerial panel at Capital Link forum
The discussion took place at the ministerial panel of the 16th Annual Capital Link Greek Shipping Forum organised by Capital Link. Participants included Greece’s maritime affairs minister Vasilis Kikilias, Malta transport minister Chris Bonett, and US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs Marco Sylvester.
US objections to the Net Zero Framework
Sylvester said the transition risked failure without realism, technical documentation and active industry participation. He said Washington’s rejection of the NZF did not amount to withdrawal from international cooperation, but argued the framework alters the character of the IMO, transforming it from a technical organisation for safety and security of navigation into a global climate policy regulator.
He said this is not consistent with either the mission of the IMO or US interests, and called for a review of a framework that, in Washington’s view, freezes progress more than it facilitates it. Sylvester outlined two possible paths, either continuing confrontations like those seen in discussions last October or moving beyond a framework he said prevents substantial progress.
Calls for dialogue, accountability and industry participation
Sylvester said only through open dialogue can a workable and acceptable outcome be achieved. He also proposed stronger state accountability, including explicit ratification of regulations by national governments so that decisions are not attributed exclusively to the IMO.
He urged industry participants to state clearly what is technically and economically feasible, saying zero-emission targets carry significant costs that first burden shipping and are ultimately passed on to consumers. He described excluding shipping from decision-making as unrealistic.
Cyprus position on realism and listening to industry
Hadjimanolis called for realism and meaningful listening to the shipping industry, saying legislation often precedes understanding of how the sector operates.
What role should the shipping industry have in shaping maritime decarbonisation regulations?
