IMO, Norway and Singapore sign MoU on maritime decarbonization

LONDON : A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Ministry of Climate and Environment of Norway, and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), with the intention to collectively undertake technical cooperation activities to assist developing countries in their efforts to reduce emissions from ships and in ports.

Participants will work together to exchange experience, knowledge and best practice, and undertake joint resource mobilization with a view to cooperate and collaborate on actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships and the activities of ships in ports, within the frameworks of the NextGEN Connect initiative and the GreenVoyage2050 Project.

The NextGEN Connect initiative was established between the IMO and the MPA in April 2022. The initiative aims to bring industry, academia and global research centres together, to offer inclusive solutions for maritime decarbonization for trials along shipping routes.

The IMO-Norway GreenVoyage2050 Project was established in May 2019 by the IMO, with funding from the Government of Norway to support developing countries, including Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), in their efforts to implement the Initial IMO Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.

The MoU was signed on 20 March by Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr. Sveinung Oftedal, Chief Negotiator for Green Shipping of the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, and Mr. Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the MPA, on the side-lines of the 14th Intersessional Working Group on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 14), convened at the IMO Headquarters in London, United Kingdom.

Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the IMO said, “IMO is pleased to combine the capabilities of the IMO-Norway GreenVoyage2050 project and the IMO-Singapore NextGEN Connect initiative to collectively implement green shipping activities, in particular those that can support development of low and zero-carbon fuels and related bunkering infrastructure.”

Mr. Sveinung Oftedal, Chief Negotiator of the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, said, “Joining forces through this cooperation will strengthen the support to decarbonizing the maritime sector in developing countries. We very much look forward to working together with Singapore in these supportive actions, as well as widening the cooperation with the IMO in their leading role to assist decarbonization of the maritime sector in developing countries.”

Mr. Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the MPA, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with the IMO and the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment to accelerate decarbonisation efforts in the maritime industry. This MoU is an important partnership that brings together our projects with the mutual goal to test solutions along shipping routes. This will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping in an inclusive manner and with the support of like-minded States, aggregate demand along the supply chain.”

The MoU signing underscores the commitment of the partners to work together to create a more green, sustainable and efficient maritime industry.

About the International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations
which is responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international
shipping and to prevent pollution from ships. It is also involved in legal matters,
including liability and compensation issues and the facilitation of international maritime
traffic. It was established by means of a Convention adopted under the auspices of
the United Nations in Geneva on 6 March 1948 and met for the first time in January
1959

About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)

MPA was established on 2 February 1996 with the mission to develop Singapore as a
premier global hub port and international maritime centre, and to advance and
safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind
Singapore’s port and maritime development, taking on the roles of port authority,
maritime and port regulator and planner, international maritime centre champion and
national maritime representative. MPA partners with industry, research community
and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our
waters, facilitate maritime and port operations and growth, expand the cluster of
maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation,
R&D and manpower development. MPA is responsible for the overall development
and growth of the maritime domain and Port of Singapore. In 2022, Singapore
remained one of the world’s busiest transshipment hubs with a container throughput
of 37.3 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

About the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment

The Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment was established in 1972 and has
the main responsibility for ensuring integrated governmental climate and
environmental policies.

Environmental challenges are complex and affect all actors in society. Developments
in the various sectors are largely determined by sectoral policies. In efforts to create
sustainable development, environmental considerations need to be integrated into
policy making in all areas of society.

In addition to initiating, developing and implementing its own measures and actions,
the Ministry also acts as promoter and coordinator to ensure that the authorities in the
various sectors implement the environmental policies in their particular areas.
Green shipping policies and the IMO environmental agenda and conventions is also
within the responsibility of the Ministry.