<\/p>\n
Underwater noise levels are rising\u2014particularly in the Arctic Ocean\u2014yet the shipping sector\u2019s contributions remain under-prioritized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the global regulator for international shipping. Ahead of the IMO\u2019s 2026-2027 review of energy efficiency measures and reduction targets, Equal Routes urges action with a new report, Charting the Course to a Quiet Ocean.<\/p>\n
The report finds that effective noise reduction requires a whole-system approach with responsibility shared across regulators, ports, shipowners, classification societies, and Indigenous communities whose rights and knowledge are essential to governance. It outlines actionable pathways for a long-term strategy that reduces underwater noise while advancing decarbonization, energy efficiency, and biodiversity goals.<\/p>\n
Drawing on interviews and surveys with 17 shipping experts across 13 countries, stakeholders identified regional speed reductions in ecologically sensitive areas, vessel retrofits, expanding wind-assisted technologies, and integrating underwater noise into the IMO\u2019s Carbon Intensity Indicator review\u2014measures that simultaneously reduce fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe window to integrate underwater noise into the IMO\u2019s regulatory architecture is now, as it relates to and combines with the Carbon Intensity Indicator to increase decarbonization and energy efficiency,\u201d says Elissama Menezes, co-director at Equal Routes. \u201cUnderwater noise pollution harms marine life, ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them \u2014 it deserves far greater attention in shipping policies and regulation. We can change that with an integrated approach that centres Indigenous rights and knowledge, and builds toward binding regulation grounded in a just and equitable transition. We must work collaboratively to establish targets and policies that achieve meaningful reductions by 2030 and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
Previous research shows that underwater radiated noise could double every decade, with Arctic median levels quadrupling between 2019 and 2030. Yet there are no binding international regulations, and voluntary uptake remains limited. The IMO Action Plan and Experience-Building Phase (EBP) is building the evidence base for mandatory measures that could deliver significant co-benefits when aligned with decarbonization, energy efficiency, and biofouling policies.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeveral stakeholders in our study are encouraged by this year\u2019s enactment of the UN\u2019s Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction, and they believe that mandatory regulations for underwater radiated noise are eventually likely to come into effect,\u201d says Breanna Bishop, research lead at Equal Routes. \u201cReduction is feasible\u2014and without significant financial and logistical burdens\u2014particularly when we intentionally combine this with measures to increase decarbonization and energy efficiency, and reduce biofouling. The best pathway is to continue to elevate this issue and include data and realities from the Global South, the Arctic, Indigenous and Inuit communities, similar to those developed by the Inuit Circumpolar Council for the IMO three years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
Equal Routes will bring these findings to the upcoming IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting in April, urging Member States to establish binding targets, strengthen measurement and baselining standards, and center the voices of communities most affected.<\/p>\n
Stakeholders emphasize that solutions must extend beyond technology to include equity-focused policies that deliver benefits to frontline communities:<\/p>\n
John Tauk\u00e4ve, Oceania cultural protocol, technical advisor and researcher to Pacific delegations at the IMO.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor Pacific communities, we rely on sound to understand the ocean and our place in it. A just and equitable approach to limiting underwater radiated noise means ensuring our voices and livelihoods are protected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jase Hatcher, Senior Campaigner for Climate and Oceans at Friends of the Earth U.S.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe shipping sector\u2019s contribution to human-caused underwater radiated noise is well-established. While many nations have pledged to reduce this pollution, we must act with immediate urgency, ensuring these measures are part of a just and equitable transition. No industry or nation\u2019s bottom line takes precedence over the protection of our ocean, all that call it home, and all who have stewarded these relationships for time immemorial. Today\u2019s report is a vital addition to the growing literature on URN from ships, reinforcing the need for a just transition in all URN reduction strategies.\u201d
Source: Equal Routes<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/strong> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" … Arctic Ocean\u00e2\u0080\u0094yet the shipping<\/span> sector\u00e2\u0080\u0099s contributions remain … the global regulator for international shipping<\/span>. Ahead of the IMO … interviews and surveys with 17 shipping<\/span> experts across 13 countries, … far greater attention in shipping<\/span> policies and regulation. We …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-96450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96450","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96450"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96450\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}