The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and Port of Long Beach (POLB) unveiled a ‘partnership strategy’ for a green and digital shipping corridor (GDSC) across the Pacific Ocean, reports DCN.
The new strategy, which was announced at the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai, builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was signed in April.
‘Partnership strategy’ for green corridor
In a statement issued, C40 Cities – the global network of nearly 100 mayors from leading cities around the world that have made a joint commitment to confront the climate crisis – said that it will be working with the three ports and ‘value-chain stakeholders from the fuel and maritime sectors’ in order to build consensus on green shipping best practices and coordinate decarbonisation efforts.
C40 Cities said that the GDSC partners will work with stakeholders involved in other green shipping initiatives, including those established by the three ports and other parties, with a view to ‘scaling the uptake of zero and near-zero emission technologies, fuels and energy sources’.
To help drive the strategy forward, the ports and C40 have commissioned a study to analyse trade flows and vessel traffic between Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach. The study will estimate the quantity of near-zero and zero-emission fuels required for this traffic, and guide implementation by identifying opportunities for collaboration to advance the development of the GDSC.
C40 Cities said that the founding partners will now engage stakeholders from across the shipping and fuel supply value chains that share the GDSC’s vision and aims, with the intention of onboarding new corridor participants in 2024.
Decarbonisation of international trade
Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, commented: ‘We are excited to see this partnership grow from strength to strength with the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor Partnership Strategy. We have embarked on evaluating the various digital solutions and zero and near-zero fuels options that could be trialled along the route between Singapore and the San Pedro Bay Port Complex. We look forward to the support of all the corridor stakeholders over the coming months to conduct trials and potentially scale them for wider adoption.’
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said: ‘This Partnership Strategy document is the foundation upon which we’ll build the future of maritime shipping. Our success requires the resolve and dedication of the three partnering ports as well as our industry partners. Together, we will model the collaboration necessary to achieve our climate and efficiency goals.’
Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero expressed the hope that the strategies GDSC partners develop ‘can be used as a roadmap by a larger network of seaports and supply chain companies to invest in programmes, technologies, software and infrastructure to decarbonise international trade everywhere’.
C40 Executive Director Mark Watts stressed the environmental benefits: ‘The advancement of this Green and Digital Shipping Corridor brings the shipping sector one step closer to a 1.5°C-aligned trajectory. Green shipping is only achievable through collaboration because no one stakeholder can afford to move unless they know others are likely to follow. That’s where C40 is delighted to help, bringing our network of world-leading cities, which include most of the world’s largest and most forward-looking ports.’
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Source: DCN
