OMNI Features｜UN Shipping Agency IMO Strikes Deal on Adopting Global Carbon Fee for Maritime Sector．Gazelle Wind Power Receives Portuguese Government Approval to Deploy Floating Wind Demonstrator．Industry Calls for Europe to Auction 100+ GW of New Offshore Wind Capacity in Next Decade, Commits to Lowering LCOE by 30 Pct

｜UN Shipping Agency IMO Strikes Deal on Adopting Global Carbon Fee for Maritime Sector

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved a global carbon pricing mechanism on April 11, aiming to cut international shipping emissions by 20% by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050. Beginning in 2028, vessels exceeding annual greenhouse gas intensity (GFI) targets will be charged $100 per tonne of emissions, with penalties up to $380 per tonne for surpassing stricter thresholds. Ships that meet lower emissions benchmarks can earn and trade carbon credits.

Revenue from the carbon fees—estimated at $11 to $13 billion annually—will fund the IMO’s Net-Zero Transition Fund, supporting green shipping fuels and technologies. Offshore wind is expected to play a key role in this transition, providing renewable power for port operations and enabling low-emission propulsion systems, especially as nations seek sustainable maritime alternatives.

｜Gazelle Wind Power Receives Portuguese Government Approval to Deploy Floating Wind Demonstrator

Gazelle Wind Power has secured a 10-year permit from the Portuguese government to install and operate a 2 MW floating wind demonstration unit using its Nau Azul platform off the coast of Agucadoura. This next-generation floating platform is designed to harness deepwater wind resources and contribute to Europe’s renewable energy ambitions and energy security.

The demonstration project aims to validate the platform’s modular, lightweight design, which uses a unique geometric structure and counterweight system to reduce steel usage, lower the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and streamline mass production. The compact assembly footprint also allows for construction in shallow ports. Notably, the test site, located in Aguçadoura, was previously used for WindFloat 1, one of Europe’s first floating wind pilots.

｜Industry Calls for Europe to Auction 100+ GW of New Offshore Wind Capacity in Next Decade, Commits to Lowering LCOE by 30 Pct

The European wind industry has unveiled the New Offshore Wind Deal for Europe, urging governments to auction at least 100 GW of offshore wind capacity between 2031 and 2040—10 GW annually—via de-risked, bankable frameworks such as Contracts for Difference (CfDs). The plan, launched during the WindEurope event in Copenhagen, aims to accelerate deployment, strengthen energy security, and enhance Europe‘s industrial competitiveness amid mounting geopolitical and economic challenges.

In return, major offshore wind players—including Ørsted, RWE, Vattenfall, Iberdrola, Vestas, and Siemens Gamesa—have committed to reducing the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) by 30% by 2040. The deal also calls for coordinated cross-border planning, predictable commissioning timelines, and flexibility to support supply chain efficiency. With an annual target of 15 GW in the 2030s, the proposal sets a foundation for scaling up offshore wind to meet rising electricity demand while driving investment and long-term societal value.

Reference: Reuters｜Renews｜Offshorewind biz