Japan is considering making a proposal for the introduction of controls on ship speed as a short-term measure to reduce shipping’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The move was revealed by Japanese Ministry of Land Infrastructure Tourism and Transport (MLIT) senior deputy director Shinichiro Otsubo today at the TradeWinds Shipowners Forum held for the first time in Tokyo.

It comes as pressure mounts on the IMO to come up with something that will substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the short term to meet its target of a 40% improvement in ship efficiency by 2030.