24/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - International agreement in July on emissions reduction for shipping? The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has until July to reach agreement at global level on measures to cut emissions in the shipping industry. Current talks are examining technical issues, standardising and boosting existing technical specifications for ships, and operational matters, like cutting pollution levels by streamlining operations on-board. It is not certain that the parties will be able to reach agreement on use of the market to reduce emissions. At this stage, the European Commission says that it would not be wise to introduce carbon trading in Europe because shipping is a global industry (see EUROPE 10309). Some people estimate that by 2020 or 2030, some 30% to 40% of emissions will come from a rise in the amount of shipping in the Middle East. (A.By./transl.fl)