Global Energy Summit: Ministers Embrace Low-Carbon Fuel Drive

176
Credit: PR Newswire

The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) has today adopted the Clean Energy Marine Hubs Initiative (CEM-Hubs) at a summit in Goa, India.

Fueling the Future

The CEM-Hubs initiative is initially backed by Canada, Norway, Panama, Uruguay and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in partnership with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the International Association of Ports & Harbors (IAPH).

To accommodate demand, the shipping industry is expected to transport at least 50% of all traded low carbon fuels by 2050, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). So far only one ship in the whole global fleet has been piloted to transport liquefied hydrogen – travelling from Australia to Japan.

CEM-Hubs’ Race to COP28 in Dubai

The initiative was adopted less than a year after it was first presented, in an unprecedented move by the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) that reflects the immense scale of the problem and urgency to establish solutions. The CEM-Hubs initiative and progress will be featured at the next COP28 in Dubai.

The initiative is also supported by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonization (GCMD).

Jean-François Gagné, Head of Secretariat, Clean Energy Ministerial, said:
“Ports, shipping, and the logistics network need to be an integral part of the global clean energy transition. The Clean Energy Marine Hubs Initiative is a truly public-private platform between energy, maritime, shipping and finance communities. It represents a unique opportunity to develop concrete implementable actions to ensure greener supply chains globally.”

The Honorable Omar Alghabra, Canada’s Minister of Transport, said:
“Canada is pleased to announce its participation as a founding member of the Clean Energy Marine Hubs Initiative, alongside esteemed partners such as the International Chamber of Shipping, the International Association of Ports and Harbours, and other countries from around the world. This vital initiative will reinforce the pivotal role our ports and marine sector will play in advancing the global energy transition. By facilitating the secure and efficient transportation of new clean energy resources, including hydrogen, ammonia, and renewable diesel produced right here in Canada, we are taking significant steps towards a sustainable future on a global scale.”

Jorge Rivera, Government of Panama’s National Energy Secretary, commented:
“We are very excited about the launching of the Clean Energy Marine Hubs initiative. Without any doubt, this is going to be a turning point in these sustainable initiatives around the world, and the connection between the energy and maritime industries. We expect to have great results in the short, medium, and long term.”

Bjørn Højgaard, CEO of Anglo-Eastern, commented:
“Decarbonisation continues to dominate international shipping’s agenda, with alternative fuels playing a critical role in the push to net zero by 2050, as revised at this July’s MEPC 80. While much has been explored and discussed about the environmental and technical aspects of alternative fuels, one key area has received less attention: the logistics of alternative fuels. No solution can stand on its own without the necessary infrastructure to support it, which CEM Hubs is addressing.”

Captain Rajalingam, MISC’s President and Group CEO, said:
“As leaders in global shipping, we recognise transportation’s pivotal role in transitioning to a clean energy economy. The adoption, transportation, and integration of future fuels into the broader economy demands immediate action to unlock demand and achieve scale. We are committed to driving this agenda forward, collaboratively and with purpose.”

Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, commented:
“The momentous speed at which the CEM Hub initiative has been adopted speaks volumes to not only the scale of the challenge before us and the urgency to act, but also the economic opportunity low-carbon energy production offers – particularly to developing economies. For first movers it presents a golden opportunity to develop an industry that will catalyse economic growth and prosperity and provide energy stability for their citizens.” 

Patrick Verhoeven, IAPH Managing Director, commented:
“It will be the role of shipping and the ports that serve them to become the enablers of the energy transition by offering the capacity to transport what is expected to be 50% of all global zero-carbon fuels. For candidate countries this presents a golden opportunity to develop the hub concept as catalysts of economic growth and prosperity for their citizens.” 

Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?

It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!

Source: Cision