THE MARITIME and Port Authority of Singapore and Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub have agreed to work towards creating a green corridor for the so-called Silk Alliance.
MPA signed a memorandum of understanding with the decarbonisation hub that covers collaboration on a fleet decarbonisation strategy and implementation plan for the alliance.
The MoU covers the creation of a green corridor to trial decarbonisation strategies for containerships operating in Asia. It aims to enable zero-emission shipping across the Indian and Pacific oceans.
The Silk Alliance comprises organisations who intend to work together to advance maritime decarbonisation.
MPA intends to drive investments into fuel supply infrastructure to meet the demand from Silk Alliance members and potential regional bunkering demands for alternative fuels.
MPA also plans to collaborate with other alliance partners to develop green and digital shipping corridors.
Lloyd’s Register CEO Nick Brown said the decarbonisation hub was delighted to welcome MPA to the expanding Silk Alliance collaboration.
“Flag and port authorities play a crucial role in increasing the industry’s confidence in zero-emissions shipping, and as the world’s largest bunkering hub, we see Singapore and the MPA as a driving force in advancing the safe uptake of low-to-zero emissions fuel in the global shipping industry,” he said.
Teo Eng Dih, chief executive of MPA, said the port regulator was pleased to join the Silk Alliance to accelerate the decarbonisation of container trade.
“The Silk Alliance will enable key stakeholders in Singapore to chart the transition towards low- and zero-carbon options,” he said.
“As the world’s largest transhipment container port and bunkering hub, Singapore will take active steps to support the decarbonisation of the container trade in line with IMO’s Revised Strategy to reduce emissions from shipping.”
Current Silk Alliance have conducted a feasibility scenario analysis for green shipping for an in-scope fleet of container ships.
Through collaboration with the MPA and other members of the Silk Alliance, the LR Maritime Decarbonisation Hub expects Singapore to help accelerate the initiative’s decarbonisation efforts.
Inaugural alliance members include PSA, MSC Shipmanagement, Pacific International Lines, Wan Hai Lines, X-Press Feeders, Yang Ming Marine Transport; Seatrium, Singfar International, Wärtsilä, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, the Asian Development Bank and ING.
