A new European Union classification system of sustainable economic activities that seeks to drive the trading bloc's climate goals must take account of the transition period needed for shipping as it decarbonises, and define clear rules that work for all.

That was the response from panellists at a Marine Money London debate on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when moderator Lindsey Keeble, a partner and global maritime sector head at Watson Farley & Williams (WFW), asked how the industry could avoid regimes being imposed on it that are “simply not workable”.