Our policies and positions

Decarbonisation of the shipping industry is a strategic imperative embedded across Maersk. We are intensifying our efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 and have set intermediate targets aligned with the SBTi 1.5°C pathway.

A strong, global regulatory framework, with instruments to rapidly and effectively reduce GHG emissions, is urgently required to deliver on these ambitions. We are working closely with regulators and other key stakeholders to build strong policies to support this critical transition and induce decarbonisation across the entire shipping sector.

Need for strong IMO leadership to decarbonise global shipping

The 2018 IMO Initial GHG Strategy targets a 50% GHG reduction in 2050 compared to 2008 baseline levels. Maersk considers this to be insufficiently ambitious and is urging the IMO to accelerate progress on ambitions and regulation at forthcoming meetings from 2022.

Maersk calls on the IMO to develop a global fund and GHG price, a global fuel standard for production, and a ‘design standard’ on the production of new fossil fuelled ships. We also urge the IMO to initiate the deployment of green corridors, and to improve the IMO Data Collection System and enhance data transparency. Regulation of the IMO must be based on the full lifecycle of emissions so that emissions are not pushed to other sectors.

Read more in our IMO Decarbonisation position paper.

The Fit-for-55 Package, launched by the European Commission in July 2021, aligns the EU’s 55% emission reduction target for 2030 with legislation to make Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050. Proposals included in the Package are being discussed by co-legislators, the European Parliament, and the Council of the EU before negotiations and final adoptions.

Maersk welcomes the Fit-for-55 Package, including the initiative to increase the share of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport (FuelEU Maritime) and the extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to include shipping.

However, Maersk calls on EU regulators to include all greenhouse gases – such as methane and nitrous oxide – in the policy frameworks and to consider all emissions based on a life cycle analysis.

Read more in our FuelEU Maritime Initiative and EU ETS position papers.

To ensure full transparency on our policy outreach, Maersk is also listed in the EU Transparency Register, where all meetings with members of the Commission and policy submissions are made publicly available, view them here.

Maersk is fully committed to complying with all environmental regulations adopted at national, EU and IMO levels to ensure that the environment is protected from potential negative impacts of international shipping.

We are a strong advocate for the effective enforcement of environmental legislation by all IMO Member States to secure a level commercial playing field for the industry.

From the air we breathe to the oceans we sail

Environmental regulation is broad in scope including key topics such as air quality and the safeguarding of ocean health and biodiversity.

We have led the industry in pushing for stronger regulations and enforcement for air emissions from shipping. The ‘IMO2020 changeover’ regulating sulphur emissions, which entered into force on 1 January 2020, has had immense positive impacts on human health, especially amongst people living in coastal areas and near ports.

On ocean health and biodiversity, Maersk complies with legislation on releasing substances into the oceans. This includes meeting the standards and rules of legislation on key issues such as ballast water and anti-fouling. Maersk has an internal zero-dumping policy that obligates all vessels to store waste (including excess plastics) and discard it when in a port with adequate facilities to receive it.

Furthermore, Maersk is also supporting scientific and civil society initiatives to improve ocean health. This includes, for instance, supporting The Ocean Cleanup, which seeks to remove plastic waste from the oceans.

Taking a lead on responsible ship recycling

Environmental regulations also cover ship recycling as this can pose a risk to the environment, as well as to human health and safety, if done in an unlawful and unsafe manner.

To ensure that our vessels are recycled responsibly and under safe conditions, Maersk has developed its own Responsible Ship Recycling Standard (RSRS). The RSRS goes beyond international rules covering the protection of health, safety and the environment. It also sets requirements on anti-corruption and labour rights based on established international standards and the Maersk Code of Conduct.

Adherence to RSRS requirements is supervised by Maersk-appointed teams. The entire RSRS programme is subject to external validation through frequent audits, the results of which are shared transparently.

Maersk is a founding member of the Ship Recycling Transparency Initiative. The initiative aims to accelerate a voluntary and market-driven approach to responsible ship recycling practices through transparency to influence and improve decision-making about ship recycling and create a level playing field across the industry.

Read more in our Responsible Ship Recycling position paper.

Industry associations play an important role in the democratic process – shaping, informing and sharing technical standards and public policy. They also provide a forum, within a clear competition law framework, for members to debate and prepare sector-specific positions.

As a sector leader, we believe that active participation in trade associations is both an obligation and an opportunity to raise the bar when necessary. We always aim to do so with our Core Values in mind – not least humbleness and uprightness.

Multi-vocal by definition, trade associations are always an expression of compromise between their members. As such, Maersk will not always be 100% aligned with their positions, and retains, like any other member, its ability to choose a different path.

We also believe that trade associations should in general support transparency of debates, data and technical knowledge, as these are pivotal to building trusted relationships among members and also with decision makers.

Maersk’s most material trade association memberships, which are active in the public policy and regulatory affairs sphere, include (but are not limited to):