The disappointment and frustration felt by many in the industry facing another year lacking certainty in the energy transition 

The decision at the International Maritime Organization  ( IMO )last week to adjourn the MEPC-ES2 meeting for 12 months was preceded by intense speculation and more intense advocacy and has been followed by many claims, recriminations, and hand-wringing. I wanted to take a bit of time to reflect on this and try to understand which wind we are facing as delegates returned to the IMO chamber this week for our Intersessional Working groupز This is what he confirmed, Gavin Allwright, Secretary General at the International Windship Association, on his LinkedIn account 
 Is this a North wind often associated with harshness and challenge?
Well, the disappointment and frustration felt by many in the industry facing another year lacking certainty in the energy transition was certainly palpable, and IWSA and our membership were certainly advocating for adoption of the NZF last week. We definitely face a major challenge, but headwinds to change are nothing new, and we as a technology segment have battled these successfully in the past.
Or could it be a West wind often signifying change, creativity, and a new beginning?
This is a harder sell, but certainly we are in a different place this week. The delivery of the 2023 IMO decarbonisation strategy hasn't gone away; the climate and ocean emergencies are still with us, and so creativity is needed to meet those challenges. The need to maximise innovation and deliver the low-hanging fruit of wind propulsion, energy efficiency and voyage optimisation at scale has never been more urgent or more necessary. 

Related : Exclusive with Gavin Allwright : Secretary General of (IWSA) ( 1- 3 )

Perhaps it is an East wind that can be taken to signify judgement, power and strength?
Well, judgement on the NZF has been postponed, raw power plays outside the IMO have been clearly evident, and strength and leadership are going to be needed to deliver on the 'unity' and 'multilateralism' that have been the foundation of the best results coming from IMO - if we are all transparent and good faith players going forward, then trust can be rebuilt, but that will take time and effort.
 Or are we facing a warm, embracing and emotional South wind?
Well, I think delegates have all been drained emotionally by the last week of deliberations, months of preparation work, and the years building up to this. This is especially true for our colleagues, brothers and sisters from LDCs and SIDS, in many cases facing existential threats today. We need to acknowledge that impact, be kind to ourselves, brush ourselves off, and continue to build relationships, grow our clean energy, just and equitable support coalition, and work with all stakeholders across the industry to deliver on that.

Related: Exclusive with Gavin Allwright, Secretary General of IWSA ( 2- 3 )
Today, the International Windship Association will host a Wind Propulsion reception for IMO delegates to try to harness the positive elements of all four winds that over millennia propelled our ancestors to trade, to discover, to feed and to connect the world, a Win-Win-Wind situation we'd do well to embrace in the months/years ahead.

Related : Exclusive with Gavin Allwright, Secretary General of IWSA (3-3)

IMO delegates ,  Wind Propulsion , Gavin Allwright , IWSA ,  MEPC-ES2 meeting , NZF , 2023 IMO decarbonisation strategy