Current Issues: Wars and Violent Political Unrest
Following the 2021 outbreak of war in Ukraine and the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, world shipping has again faced disruption and unacceptable threats to the lives of seafarers.
Current issues in shipping
The role of maritime transport is more important than ever in supporting the resilience of national economies during the current crisis. Below current issues paint a picture of the status quo and how we at ICS are supporting our members and our seafarers.
We have also included efforts to decarbonise shipping, including the ongoing negotiations at the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO), and more.
Key Issues
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Showing 31 – 40 of 108 results
ICS cautiously welcomes critically important global agreement on shipping’s decarbonisation journey following MEPC83
11 April 2025, London – After many years of negotiations, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) welcomes the agreement today at the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO), the shipping industry’s global regulator, of a critically important package of new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction regulations – the “IMO net-zero framework” – to help ensure that international shipping will transition to net zero by or close to 2050.
International Chamber of Shipping’s comment post USTR (United States Trade Representative) Section 301 Investigation public hearing
Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Guy Platten, testified before the U.S. Trade Representative Section 301 Committee in Washington, D.C., USA, regarding concerns around potential unintended consequences that could result from the proposed remedies following the Committee’s investigation into China’s maritime logistics and shipbuilding. The public hearing took place over two days, Monday 24 March and Wednesday 26 March 2025, with over 60 witnesses delivering testimonies in person.
International Chamber of Shipping Statement following the conclusion of ISWG-GHG 18
21 February 2025, London – Following a week of intensive greenhouse gas (GHG) negotiations at the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO), Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), emphasised the need for urgent progress ahead of the critical IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) in April.
Statement from Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, ahead of the UN IMO ISWG-GHG 18
Ahead of next week’s critical International Maritime Organization (IMO) GHG working group meeting (ISWG-GHG 18) to further develop MARPOL Convention text to decarbonise shipping by 2050, the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping Guy Platten said:
Statement from Guy Platten, International Chamber of Shipping Secretary General, following the release of the Galaxy Leader crew
We welcome the news of the Galaxy Leader crew being released today and that they will be reunited with their families after being held in captivity since the 19 November 2023. The fact that the innocent crew were held for over 430 days is unacceptable and a truly dreadful situation.
Statement from the International Chamber of Shipping on the plight of the crew of the Galaxy Leader
Tuesday 19 November marks the one-year anniversary of the seizure of the crew of the Galaxy Leader.
International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) statement following closing of the 82nd meeting of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) welcomes further progress achieved on developing a base text for amendments to the MARPOL Convention, to help ensure delivery of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) goal for international shipping to deliver net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by or close to 2050.
International Chamber of Shipping’s statement following the closing of the 17th meeting of the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is pleased that progress has been made over the past week but much more needs to be done. We are committed to working with Member States over the coming days and months to ensure a transparent, equitable and workable solution is agreed to deliver on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) decarbonisation strategy.