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SEAaT (Shipping Emissions Abatement and Trading), the industry association dedicated to shipping emissions abatement and trading, has announced today that leading international legal practice Norton Rose LLP and the freight services division of global mining group Rio Tinto have become its newest associate members.

Norton Rose LLP has had shipping at its core throughout its 200-year history, and is home to one of the world’s leading transport legal practices. Norton Rose LLP has over 100 specialist shipping lawyers across the globe, providing all the services needed by today’s sophisticated and highly regulated shipping companies. Importantly for SEAaT, Norton Rose LLP also has a leading climate change practice and provides regulatory advice and transactional work on issues such as carbon trading.

Rio Tinto Marine provides freight and solutions for Rio Tinto to ensure optimisation of mine-to-market supply chain efficiency. Headquartered in Melbourne, the division has one of the largest dry bulk cargo books in the world.

These high-profile corporations have joined SEAaT as associate members, just as the shipping industry prepares for a pivotal few months in the lead up to the IMO MEPC 62 London meeting in July, when emissions abatement will be on the top of government agendas.

John Aitken, Secretary General, SEAaT, said: “To have the support of two large international groups is a great step forward for us at such a crucial time for the industry. The shipping industry needs to ensure any regulations introduced are not only good for the environment but also good for business. Norton Rose LLP and Rio Tinto Marine are certain to play key roles in discussions by joining SEAaT.”

Philip Roche, London based partner at Norton Rose LLP, said: “Emissions from shipping is an issue that has been on the agenda for some time, but we’re now seeing increasingly onerous regulation on NOx and SOx emissions, and potential legislation in Europe and elsewhere on carbon emissions. Becoming a member of SEAaT will help ensure we can play an increasingly active role in supporting the industry in shaping tolerable and workable solutions.”

Michael Harvey, Chief Operating Officer of Rio Tinto Marine, said: “The ambitions of SEAaT reflect Rio Tinto and Marine’s objectives of playing a leading role in establishing an appropriate regulatory framework from which emissions from shipping activity can be reduced.”

Highlighting its support for emissions trading, SEAaT said: "SEAaT believes emissions trading system is the fairest, most transparent and effective means of reducing GHG emissions, in particular since it would ensure volume emissions reduction over time across the sector. It also believes that shipping regulation must remain within the remit of the IMO and apply to all ships regardless of flag."