The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has condemned a proposal of a carbon tax be made on shipping from a unit of the affluent country club, the Organisation or Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

ICS questioned why international shipping should accept a carbon price of $25 per tonne of CO2, as proposed by the OECD think tank, the International Transport Forum (ITF).

This would be almost three times higher than the carbon price paid by shore based industries in developed nations, said and ICS statement, reported London's Tanker Operator.

"About 70 per cent of the world merchant fleet is registered in UNFCCC [United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] 'non-Annex I' developing countries, and maritime trade is of vital benefit to rich and emerging economies alike," said the ICS.

While China and India have made CO2 reduction commitments, these will not deliver CO2 reductions for several years, said the ICS.

"Some richer nations, however, have made more ambitious commitments. Shipping meanwhile has already reduced its total CO2 emissions by more than 10 per cent (2007- 2012) and CO2 per tonne/mile by around 20 per cent (2005 - 2015). It is therefore on course for carbon neutral growth," the ICS said.