Global Maritime Issues Monitor 2021: The industry shifts back to a pre-pandemic focus with environmental and climate change issues topping the list of concerns

‘Decarbonizing shipping’ ranked to have potentially the greatest impact on the maritime industry over a ten-year time horizon.

‘New environmental regulation’, ‘decarbonization of shipping’ and ‘cyber-attacks and data theft’ perceived as most likely.

Industry deems low preparedness on environmental and digital issues – and more preparedness for pandemic and global economic crisis.

Top issues: Decarbonization and other environmental issues come to the fore
For the first time in the four-year history of the Global Maritime Issues Monitor, decarbonization of shipping is seen by respondents as the most impactful issue, followed by new environmental legislation.

Issues linked to decarbonization and climate change score high on impact and likelihood this year when top issues regarding likelihood, impact and preparedness are compared. The focus in 2021 is a shift back to the pre-pandemic world of 2019, where environmental issues led much of the discussion of the survey.

Conversely, respondents show more confidence in 2021 in some financial areas, and it is noticeable that economic and geopolitical issues this year were overshadowed for the first time.

“This year, environmental issues are clearly top of mind for the marine industry, with decarbonization of shipping and new environmental regulation listed as the main concerns. Worryingly, they still perceive the maritime industry as relatively unprepared to handle these issues, underlining that when it comes to decarbonization, government action and collaboration with the private sector is needed to deliver the right enabling environment for shipping decarbonization,” says Kasper Søgaard, Managing Director, Head of Institutional Strategy and Development at the Global Maritime Forum.

Low preparedness on environmental, digital and talent issues
Where sustainability and environmental issues score high on impact and likelihood, they score low on preparedness.

In addition, survey respondents cited issues relating to cyberattacks, geopolitics, global economic crisis, and digitalization as being of particular concern. The issues of cyberattacks and data theft are for example seen as both more impactful and more likely this year than last. At the same time respondents feel the industry is not fully prepared to tackle them, while the likelihood is that cyberattacks in the marine industry will continue to increase.

“There is a clear shift in perception among respondents of their organisations’ preparedness to handle cyberattacks, which correlates with ransomware incidents increasing both in intensity and frequency over the last 12 months. With a growing reliance on technology and ever-greater digitalization in the shipping sector, the industry needs to take a more comprehensive approach to address the cyber threats it faces, otherwise it is increasingly exposed to risks that could cause great harm to their operations,” says Marcus Baker, Global Head of Marine and Cargo at Marsh Specialty.

Another issue area that appears higher on the respondents’ list of concerns this year concerns talent shortages. The impact and likelihood of workforce and skill shortages rank higher in the survey this year, while respondents feel the industry is less prepared to manage these issues. This is likely connected to the impact of the pandemic on seafarers, who in many instances have been unable to return home due to covid restrictions.

Deep dive on climate policy and maritime transport: Pricing of GHG emissions viewed as first step
The Issues Monitor’s deep dive on climate policy and maritime transport – which looks at different policy options available to regulators and the industry’s perception of them – reveals that the respondents see a price on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as the most effective climate policy, and the most likely to be implemented. A global price on GHG emissions took the first spot in terms of impact, but a regional or domestic price is seen as more likely to be adopted.

“Our survey respondents clearly prefer global to regional regulation. Now is an important time in the shipping industry’s effort to better prepare for decarbonization and new environmental regulation, and regulation at a global level will help create a more level playing field between the actors of the industry. However, our qualitative research also suggests that a regional approach could be made complementary to a global one and spur the investments and innovations necessary to reach net-zero,” says Richard Turner, President of the International Union of Marine Insurance.

Across all policies, regulatory measures, such as a price on GHG emissions and fuel mandate, are seen as more likely to be implemented than incentives such as vessel and fuel subsidies. A global and/or regional fuel mandate is seen as the second most impactful climate policy, behind a price on emissions. Zero emission vessel and fuel subsidies are viewed as less effective than both.

When asked about the impact and likelihood of IMO adopting a target to reduce total GHG emissions from international shipping by 100% by 2050, 86% of respondents say such a target would have an important impact, but only 23% believe it is very likely to be adopted.

Download the Global Maritime Issues Monitor 2020 here.

Illustrations can be downloaded here.

Further information: Interim Head of Communications, Sofie Rud at rud@globalmaritimeforum.org or +45 2810 2332

About the Global Maritime Issues Monitor 2021
The fourth annual Global Maritime Issues Monitor examines the impact, likelihood and preparedness global issues potentially affecting the global maritime industry in the coming decade. The report is based on a survey of public and private decision makers from six continents and commentary from more than a dozen leaders and experts, and tracks attitudes regarding some of the critical issues facing the maritime industry.

About the Global Maritime Forum
The Global Maritime Forum is an international not-for-profit foundation committed to shaping the future of global seaborne trade to increase sustainable long-term economic development and human wellbeing. To serve its mission, the Forum convenes leaders from across the maritime community with policymakers, NGOs, experts, and other influential decision-makers and opinion shapers from all geographies in a community of purpose to discuss collective challenges and to work together on developing new solutions and recommendations for action. In order to do so, the Forum identifies, develops and shares new insights and key issues on the global agenda and facilitates collaborative projects and initiatives that can deliver long-term impact and sustainable change.

About Marsh
Marsh is the world’s leading insurance broker and risk advisor. With around 40,000 colleagues operating in more than 130 countries, Marsh serves commercial and individual clients with data-driven risk solutions and advisory services. Marsh is a business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC), the world’s leading professional services firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people. With annual revenue over $18 billion, Marsh McLennan helps clients navigate an increasingly dynamic and complex environment through four market-leading businesses: Marsh, Guy Carpenter, Mercer and Oliver Wyman.

About IUMI
The International Union of Marine Insurance e.V. (IUMI) is a non-profit association established for the purpose of protecting, safeguarding and advancing insurers’ interests in marine and all types of transport insurance. The roles of IUMI are to: act as a focal point and representative voice on behalf of the marine and transport insurance industries in dialogue with all interested parties; share information and research that are non-commercially sensitive with regard to marine and transport insurance; bring together marine insurance practitioners to facilitate the exchange of technical information and best practice; and provide information on positions taken by IUMI.