France’s delegation to the International Maritime Organization has proposed mandatory slow steaming as a means of cutting the shipping industry’s greenhouse gas emissions. France is suggesting that speed limits differentiated by shipping sector should be implemented “as soon as possible,” according to a proposal document for the IMO’s GHG emissions working group seen by S&P Global Platts. Reducing a ship’s speed to the level at which it has maximum fuel efficiency reduces its bunker fuel consumption and emissions. The IMO’s initial strategy on GHG emissions seeks to cut the shipping industry’s total GHG emissions by at least 50% from 2008 levels by 2050, and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions “per transport work” by at least 40% by 2030. The strategy — a separate measure from the IMO’s lower sulfur limit coming into force next year […]