Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions discussed at CARICOM’s 1st MTWG meeting

A CARICOM Technical Working Group on maritime matters held discussions on 18 December that focused on negotiations for measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the shipping industry.
It was the first time the Maritime Technical Working Group (MTWG) met since it was established following the 113th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Development (COTED) on Transportation that was held in June. Maritime Administrator, Maritime Services Division, Ministry of Works and Transport, Trinidad and Tobago, Richmond Basant chaired the MTWG.
The Working Group deliberated on the negotiations on the mid-term measures to reduce the emissions which are critical to ensuring that the transition to a cleaner shipping industry remains just and equitable. Participants also benefitted from a presentation on effective and sustainable ocean management and governance, which hold significance for the Region’s blue economy.
CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General (Ag), Economic Integration, Innovation and Development, Dr Wendel Samuel during his opening remarks said the discussions were fundamentally important to the Region.
He noted that the Secretariat agreed to facilitate the discussions to allow Member States to provide updates and exchange views on the state of the negotiations; to discuss moving forward as CARICOM; and to explore possible next steps.
Dr Samuel also extended a special welcome to the representatives of The University of the West Indies (UWI), and the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC), the institutions which are conducting technical work to support Member States.
Although the working group did not publish details of what was discussed, here are some of the ideas that are floating around in the shipping sector:
Shipping can cut greenhouse GHG emissions by adopting various strategies and technologies. Here are some key methods: Energy Efficiency Improvements: Use energy-efficient ship designs (e.g., hull shapes, lightweight materials). Operational Changes: Implement slow steaming (operating ships at lower speeds). Optimise routes using digital tools to reduce fuel consumption.
Port Infrastructure Improvements: Use shore power (electricity from ports) to avoid running ship engines while docked. Encourage efficient loading and unloading practices to minimise delays. Regulatory and Market Measures: Comply with international regulations like the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) decarbonisation targets. Participate in carbon pricing mechanisms or emissions trading systems.
Fleet Modernisation: Retire older, less efficient ships and replace them with modern, eco-friendly vessels. In addition, boats can be powered by batteries, and this technology is becoming increasingly popular for various types of vessels. Here’s how battery-powered boats work and where they are used:

Blue Economy
Meanwhile, CARICOM has been making significant strides towards enhancing ocean governance and sustainable management of marine resources.
With the support of a £190,000 grant from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO), the CARICOM Secretariat is embarking on a comprehensive initiative to develop a robust framework for sustainable ocean management.
Titled ‘Towards A Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Framework for Strengthening Oceans Governance – Effective Engagement in the International Oceans Agenda’, the project aims to support the collaborative development of a CARICOM Blue Economy Policy.
The primary objective of this project is to articulate a Policy that fosters improved governance, regional coordination and ultimately, enhanced capacity of Member States to sustainably manage both sovereign and shared marine resources. The policy will build on international momentum for sustainable ocean economic development, including the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and the Commonwealth Blue Charter.
The project also seeks to upscale national successes and progress made under the UK’s Sustainable Marine Economies Programme.
CARICOM Member States are increasingly focusing on their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) to unlock growth and development opportunities. These opportunities span various sectors, including fisheries, energy, nature tourism, and coastal and ocean services like carbon sequestration.
In the coming months, the project will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the policy, and the institutional and legal landscape within CARICOM Member States concerning sustainable ocean-based economies. There will also be a series of virtual and in-person consultations to engage stakeholders, share national progress, and identify regional priority actions.