For the past two years, a group of business and civil society organizations has promoted an agenda that seeks to raise awareness and encourage action among all stakeholders involved in the maritime decarbonization process in Mexico , both private and public.

They themselves have worked on the route that the maritime-port sector must follow in the coming years in its ambitious goal of achieving net zero polluting emissions by 2050, in line with global trends.

In July 2023, the Mexican Chamber of the Maritime Transport Industry (Cameintram) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in its Mexican chapter signed a collaboration agreement formalizing the joint work points on the decarbonization agenda, which was later joined (February 2024) by the Institute of the Americas .

Last week, these same organizations signed an addendum to their tripartite agreement , in which they committed to working on even more specific points, such as a diagnosis of maritime transport emissions in Mexico; the joint dissemination of the topic of decarbonization and maritime and port sustainability; and the development of a critical path or strategy with actions and recommendations for the maritime sector.

The progress of the agreement is already noticeable. At the same meeting, the emissions assessment was presented , an analysis that began in the middle of last year.

Salomón Díaz, maritime decarbonization coordinator at WWF Mexico, explained that the inclusion of the maritime sector in global climate change discussions is recent; in fact, the revised International Maritime Organization (IMO) strategy itself was only established in 2023, outlining the course to be taken in the coming years to achieve net zero.

However, the IMO has pushed to begin generating action in the sector. One of the main strategies presented—and supported by just over 60% of member countries—has been the possible implementation of a maritime tax for shipping lines on international voyages, a measure that establishes emission limits or requires payment of a tax for excess emissions. This proposal will be debated and likely ratified at the next meeting of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee, from April 7 to 11.

“The fruits of this labor have begun to materialize,” said Eric Serratos, founding partner and executive director of SEA Energy Associates , a maritime specialist that has supported and advised these organizations in the development of the diagnostic document.

The authors of this document aim to establish a roadmap for the maritime and port sector to begin measuring its emissions, set and implement goals, and monitor and publish their results.

Although at least 10% of Cameintram members offer international services, the chamber’s leaders are aware that future international measures could also include domestic or offshore travel , where the majority of these companies in Mexico operate.

“They shouldn’t feel left out,” said José Manuel Urreta, president of Cameintram, who maintained that this business organization will continue working together on the maritime decarbonization agenda.

Champions

One of the initiatives that Cameintram, WWF Mexico, and the Institute of the Americas have implemented to highlight companies that have begun to make efforts toward decarbonization is the establishment of a recognition program called “Champions of Sustainable Maritime Transport and Ports in Mexico . “

During the meeting held by these organizations , recognition was given to the companies Baja Ferries and Navalmex for their contributions to decarbonization , but mainly because they already carry out actions such as measurement, planning, implementation/monitoring and publication of their results.

Contecon Manzanillo is another company in the sector that has received this recognition.

Upcoming events

These actors, who have been driving the maritime decarbonization agenda, announced that a virtual conference entitled “IMO Negotiations on Economic Measures for the Decarbonization of the Maritime Industry” will be held on March 27 .

This conference will feature two panelists from the Navy , specifically the Port Authority and Maritime Affairs Unit (Unicapam) , and other organizations such as UMAS and AIDA.

Likewise, the 2nd Binational Forum on Maritime Transport and Sustainable Ports of the Three Californias was reported , to be held on June 26 and 27, 2025, in the port of Ensenada, Baja California, where leading organizations focused on climate change and that have made efforts to address the agenda in the maritime and port sector will meet.

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El cargo Building the compass for maritime decarbonization in Mexico apareció primero en T21.