The World Shipping Council (WSC) today joined political leaders and transport industry representatives at the United Nations launch of the Decade of Sustainable Transport, highlighting the essential role of ocean shipping in cutting emissions across global supply chains.

Much of the public debate on sustainable transport focuses on what people see every day, from urban mobility to electric vehicles. Shipping happens mostly out of sight and is often described as a “hard-to-abate” sector, even though oceangoing vessels carry around 80% of global trade and are among the most climate-efficient freight modes. Speaking at the UN, WSC President & CEO Joe Kramek underlined that shipping’s energy transition is a major opportunity for nations to invest in renewable marine fuels and infrastructure. He also stressed that the “ocean leg” of supply chains must be fully included in the work of the Decade of Sustainable Transport.

“Liner shipping is investing USD 150 billion to build 1,035 dual-fuel ships by 2030, designed to run on low- and zero-GHG fuels,” Joe Kramek said. “These are firm orders already placed. We hope the Decade of Sustainable Transport can bring the public and private sectors together to unlock affordable green marine fuels and infrastructure, seizing the economic opportunities of shipping’s decarbonisation and accelerating emissions cuts across global supply chains,” Joe Kramek concluded.

WSC also noted the importance of effective global greenhouse gas regulation at the International Maritime Organization. By raising the profile of ocean shipping within the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport, WSC aims to ensure the sector is recognised and supported as a core part of the solutions for a sustainable future.