Isle of Man becomes first flag state to join methane abatement initiative

September 16, 2025, by Aida Čučuk

The Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR) has become the first flag state to join the Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII), a cross-sectoral effort aimed at eliminating methane emissions in shipping.

Cameron Mitchell, Director of Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR); Credit: IOMSR

Launched in 2022 and led by the UK-based classification society Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) SafetyTech Accelerator, the initiative includes shipowners, technology developers, classification societies, and regulators. By including flag states like the IOMSR, MAMII reportedly aims to ensure that innovation is scaled to meet global regulatory and safety standards.

Cameron Mitchell, the IOMSR’s Director, said: “Joining MAMII further demonstrates the IOMSR’s support for sustainable maritime operations. Collaboration is such an important part of fostering innovation, something we in the maritime industry can improve. The SafetyTech accelerator is a great place for industry to work on solving some of the big ‘real-world’ problems we all face.”

Marius Suteu, Managing Director of SafetyTech Accelerator, commented: “The involvement of flag states, classification societies, and regulators is vital to the success of initiatives like MAMII. They are in a unique position to provide early-stage regulatory insights and views on innovative tech – views that you need as early as possible in the development process. The Isle of Man’s leadership sets an important precedent, ensuring that innovative methane abatement technologies are not only developed but are also safely and efficiently integrated into the global maritime fleet.”

To note, besides the IOMSR, the latest members to join MAMII are Swiss engine developer WinGD and U.S.-based cruise holding company Royal Caribbean Group.