Eco Italia: a “model” for the IMO

Since 5 March, a scale model of the vessel Eco Italia donated by the Grimaldi Group has been on display at the IMO (International Maritime Organization) London headquarters. And certainly not only for its ornamental value: the ship is one of the 14 revolutionary GG5G class ro-ros, which are capable of carrying double the freight – over 500 trailers – on each voyage while generating only half the CO₂ emissions per cargo unit compared to previous generation vessels, or six times less than ships built 20 years ago. These significant environmental benefits are the result of the numerous, highly innovative technological solutions installed on board, and have already earned the GG5G class international awards and recognition. Most recently, the IMO itself defined the ‘Eco’ ships as “a significant model on the path towards the decarbonization of shipping”.

It is the first time that a Grimaldi Group ship has been permanently exhibited at the headquarters of the UN agency: adding prestige to this was the large institutional participation on hand at the official delivery of the model to the IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez by the Italian shipping group’s Managing Director Emanuele Grimaldi. Dignitaries present included the Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Inigo Lambertini, who is also the Permanent Representative of Italy to the IMO, and the Italian Coast Guard General Commander Nicola Carlone.

The short delivery ceremony was an opportunity to reiterate the importance of the modernization of global fleets for the decarbonization of shipping, of which the GG5G class is undoubtedly an excellent example. This process can and must be facilitated on a larger scale by international measures such as the one recently presented to the IMO by the ICS (International Chamber of Shipping), chaired by Emanuele Grimaldi himself. The proposed global "fund&reward" scheme would provide for the creation of an IMO fund for energy transition, financed by shipping companies based on the CO₂ emissions produced by their ships. The contributions would be used, firstly, to reduce the significant cost gap between zero GHG fuels and conventional fuel oil, by providing financial rewards to ships for the GHG emissions prevented by use of these new marine fuels. Secondly, part of the funds would be allocated to support energy transition in developing countries.