UK, US, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY MAKE PLEDGE TO BOLSTER GREEN SHIPPING CORRIDORS

The UK alongside the US, Norway, and the Netherlands will roll out

end-to-end decarbonised shipping routes.

Joint statements were made on the backdrop of the UN Climate Conference

(COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Green shipping corridors are specific maritime routes decarbonised from end

to end, including both landside infrastructure and vessels.

Setting up such routes involves using zero-emission fuel or energy, putting

in place refuelling or recharging infrastructure at ports, and deploying

zero-emission capable vessels to demonstrate cleaner, more environmentally

friendly shipping.

In particular, the UK and the US have agreed to launch a special Green

Shipping Corridor Task Force focused on bringing together experts in the sector

to encourage research and development.

Committing to roll out green shipping corridors will help the sector to

comply with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to

1.5°C by the end of the century.

“The challenges posed by climate change are clear and the need to

decarbonise maritime has never been greater,” said UK Transport Secretary, Mark

Harper.

“That’s why we’ve committed to work alongside global partners to clean up

the sector, improve air quality in and around our ports and coastal communities,

and drive green investment into our economy.”

The international maritime sector is currently responsible for almost 3 per

cent of global emissions.

“Green corridors can play an essential role in stimulating early action to

adopt low and net-zero emission technologies and fuels,” said UK Chamber of

Shipping CEO, Sarah Treseder.

“Today’s announcement is a welcome step in the international action

required to decarbonise shipping.

“The UK shipping community is committed to working with the UK government

in securing bold action at the International Maritime Organization to provide

more ambitious and concrete decarbonisation strategies.”

The government also recently launched a £60 million ($68.8 million) clean

maritime demonstration competition on World Maritime Day to fund emission

reductions across the sector.