France, China forge first green shipping corridor

HAROPA PORT, Zhejiang Provincial Seaport Group, MSC and partners have

signed a strategic agreement to launch the first green shipping corridor between

France and China.

Other partners include Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV), China

Waterborne Transport Research Institute and Terminal Investment Limited

(TiL).

This initiative aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO)

2023 strategy for achieving carbon neutrality by or around 2050, the Paris

Agreement (COP21), the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,

the Franco-Chinese initiative for a green and low-carbon maritime industry, as

well as the Clydebank Declaration, of which France is a signatory.

China is HAROPA PORT’s leading trading partner, accounting for 30 per cent

of its container traffic. Ningbo Zhoushan Port, the world’s largest port by

total cargo tonnage and the third largest in terms of container throughput,

represents 22 per cent of this volume. Given the high level of trade between the

two ports, this green corridor will contribute significantly to the

decarbonisation of maritime transport.

This strategic agreement is a tangible example of how ports, shipping lines

and terminal operators are working together to reduce the carbon footprint of

maritime transport as much as possible. The agreement notably provides

opportunities for:

• 　　The deployment of shore-side electricity connections for vessels

• 　　The progressive electrification of terminals and port equipment using

  renewable or low-carbon energy sources

• 　　The establishment of alternative fuel supply chains (such as LNG, bio-LNG,

  green ammonia and green hydrogen)

• 　　The development of low-carbon hinterland connections, particularly via

  inland waterway and rail transport

• 　　The exploration of on-board CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation and storage)

  pilot projects

The strategic agreement serves as an operational framework for mobilising

all stakeholders across the maritime value chain.

“As France’s leading port for international trade and a strategic gateway

for Asia–Europe flows, HAROPA PORT carries a key responsibility in driving the

maritime energy transition,” said Benoît Rochet, Chief Executive Officer of

HAROPA PORT.

“With this corridor, we are laying the foundations for a decarbonised sea

route between China and France. Our ambition is to make the Seine Axis a

benchmark hub for the bunkering and operation of zero-emission vessels, in close

cooperation with our Asian and European partners.”

“As a major large-scale, comprehensive hub port in China, Ningbo Zhoushan

Port will actively participate in the cooperative practices of green shipping

corridors,” said Tao Chengbo, Chairman of Zhejiang Provincial Seaport Group and

Ningbo Zhoushan Port Group.

“We are committed to continuously enhancing our green transformation and

service standards, working hand in hand with partners across the value chain to

promote the sustainable development of ports and shipping.”

Late last year, HAROPA PORT secured €6 million in AFIF funding, making it

the only organisation chosen in the second call to electrify both maritime and

inland port infrastructure.