MSC teams up with GCMD to accelerate industry efforts to decarbonize

GENEVA : The world’s largest container line Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has inked a five-year partnership deal with the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD)

MSC becomes the fifth impact partner of Singapore-based GCMD and will provide a cash contribution towards the centre’s pooled resources for pilots and trials. MSC will also provide in kind contributions to projects including access to vessels, operational equipment, and other assets.

Bud Darr, Executive Vice President Maritime Policy & Government Affairs MSC Group, said: “We are committed to helping to tackle climate change and in GCMD we believe we have found an excellent partner to help drive the green transition in our sector. We look forward to exchanging ideas, information and access to our substantial expertise and assets, to help accelerate progress towards the net zero future we all aspire to.”

MSC is the world’s largest shipping line with a fleet of 730 vessels and the industry’s biggest newbuilding orderbook of energy-efficient containerships.

Professor Lynn Loo, CEO of the GCMD commented: “Despite current economic uncertainties, decarbonising shipping will need liners – who are closest to customers willing to pay a green premium – to make hard commitments for the industry to progress towards IMO’s 2030 and 2050 goals. With MSC coming onboard as our newest Impact Partner, GCMD is now in a stronger position to drive decarbonisation solutions across the industry.”

MSC is the third container to partner with GCMD following Ocean Network Express (ONE), which was one of six industry founding partners, and strategic partner Hapag-Lloyd.

Other shipowners that are GCMD partners are BW Group and Eastern Pacific Shipping, both founding partners, and impact partner Olympic Shipping and Management.