John Whelan: Shipping carbon tax is next major challenge for Irish exporters

Measures such as a levy of €170 per tonne of CO2 emitted by each ship would impact Ireland more than most countries due to our island status.

The latest estimates suggest that carbon emissions from the sector will more than double by 2050, unless urgent measures are taken. Picture: PA

The dirtiest of fossil fuels, heavy fuel oil and marine gas oil, are used in the shipping industry that moves the vast majority of goods globally and to date has made little progress on decarbonisation. 

The latest estimates suggest that carbon emissions from the sector will more than double by 2050, unless urgent measures are taken.