Global Industry Alliance Launched to Support Low Carbon Shipping

A new Global Industry Alliance (GIA) has been launched, with the aim to support transitioning shipping and its related industries towards a low carbon feature.

The GIA was officially inaugurated on June 29 at a launch ceremony held at the margins of the first meeting of the IMO Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG emissions from ships.

In his GIA launch speech, Kitack Lim, IMO Secretary-General, said the new alliance would help shipping to make its contribution towards greenhouse gas reduction and the mitigation of climate change, a key target for the United Nations under its sustainable development goals (SDGs).

“What we are witnessing today is the formal start of a tried and tested partnership concept which has the potential to boost still further our efforts to kick-start the change that society demands and create a firm, tangible basis to transform the shipping sector for the better,” Lim pointed out.

Thirteen companies have signed up to launch the GIA, under the auspices of the GloMEEP Project, a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Program (UNDP)-International Maritime Organization (IMO) project aimed at supporting developing countries in the implementation of energy efficiency measures for shipping.

Together, the GIA partners plan to collectively identify and develop innovative solutions to address common barriers to the uptake and implementation of energy efficiency technologies and operational measures.

Activities likely to be undertaken or promoted by the alliance will include research and development, showcasing of advances in technology development and positive initiatives by the maritime sector, industry fora to encourage a global industry dialogue, and the implementation of capacity building and information exchange activities.

These activities will focus on a number of priority areas including energy efficiency technologies and operational best practices, alternative fuels, and digitalization.

The thirteen members that have formally committed to joining the alliance are: ABB Engineering (Shanghai), DNV GL, Lloyd’s Register, MarineTraffic, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Ricardo UK, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited, Silverstream Technologies, Stena, Total Marine Fuels, Wärtsilä and Winterthur Gas & Diesel.

It is expected that more companies may join the GIA even after the launch, according to the IMO.

These companies are supporting the overall goals of the GIA by providing their expertise and know-how in the area of maritime fuel efficiency, as well as contributing financially towards the GIA Fund from which GIA activities will be funded.

“Under this new public-private partnership initiative, these ‘industry champions’, which come from different sectors of the industry and may have different business strategies within the same sector, are coming together to contribute to tackling the challenges of decarbonizing the shipping sector,” Lim added.

Image Courtesy: IMO