The IMO is showing it is serious about meeting its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets by lining up several short-term measures for shipowners at a London meeting next week.

Earlier this year, the regulator set an interim ­target to improve ship ­efficiency by 40% by 2030 and it is now under pressure from environmentalists to take action immediately.

While longer-term measures such as alternative fuels and new technology will take decades to develop, there are more immediate options.