The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) have formalized a two-year Coalition partnership aimed at accelerating the maritime sector’s transition to low-carbon fuels, an agreement announced at the IAPH 2025 World Ports Conference in Kobe, Japan.
Partnership Goal and Scope
The core objective of the collaboration is to strengthen the industry’s readiness for shipping’s fuel transition. The partnership will focus on tackling challenges and seizing opportunities related to advancing alternative fuels bunkering, developing necessary port infrastructure, and shaping regulatory frameworks.
Leveraging Combined Expertise
The partnership combines the specific strengths of both organizations for a comprehensive approach.
- GCMD’s Role: GCMD contributes its expertise in closing operational, safety, and technical gaps across the shipping value chain. Its work includes executing pilots, co-developing risk-mitigation strategies for new fuels like safe ammonia bunkering, and establishing operating procedures for activities such as liquid CO2 offloading.
- IAPH’s Role: IAPH contributes its global port network of over 200 port authorities and operators in more than 85 countries, along with its expert working groups on clean marine fuels and port readiness levels. It will collaborate with GCMD to refine its existing suite of practical tools and co-develop new ones to assist in the safe and efficient adoption of new bunkering fuels and the transportation of low- and zero-carbon fuels as cargo.
Ports’ Unique Position
Ports are recognized as having a vital role in accelerating maritime decarbonisation.
- Essential Local Expertise: Ports offer crucial local knowledge, including assessing navigational risks, coordinating with local regulators, and engaging with communities.
- Enabling Safe Adoption: This local expertise is essential for ensuring the safe execution of new fuel pilots and trials, ultimately enabling the safe and large-scale adoption of low-carbon fuels globally.
Foundation of Existing Collaboration
This formal Coalition partnership builds upon a pre-existing working relationship between the two entities.
- CEM-HUBS Initiative: GCMD is already a supporting partner in the Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM-HUBS) initiative, a cross-sectoral public-private platform where IAPH is a founding member.
- Shared Goals: Both organizations share the goal of positioning shipping as a key enabler in the production, transport, and adoption of low-carbon fuels.
Real-World Pilot Highlight
At the IAPH 2025 World Ports Conference, GCMD’s CEO, Professor Lynn Loo, shared real-world experience to inform the discussion.
- Project CAPTURED: Professor Loo cited GCMD’s Project CAPTURED, which involved working with multiple ports in China to safely offload captured and liquefied CO2 for delivery to an inland off-taker.
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Source: Global Centre For Maritime Decarbonization
