Shipping Decarbonization Weekly Insights -- How shipping moves ahead to run on zero-carbon fuels

2023-03-15 09:05By： Breakwave Advisors

There has been much discussion about the hazards of a possible release of ammonia on board during a combustion process or during handling or storage. Ammonia is a highly toxic gas, and exposure to it can cause serious health damage. High ammonia concentrations can cause burns, severe lung damage, and even death. According to the results of a special research effort by the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS), control of ammonia emissions is possible, and it is expected that development times for management technologies will coincide with the development of ammonia combustion engines (ICEs).

The group examined three potential emissions scenarios for ammonia combustion engines and technologies that could reduce emissions to acceptable levels. As explained, all scenarios require 3-4 different treatment technologies to achieve good emission levels. These include emission management technologies to treat ammonia boil-off gas (BOG) from fuel tanks, ammonia mixtures from purging and venting operations and combustion emissions from the engine(s).

Industry-wide collaboration in the development of engine and emissions management technologies is needed to optimize ammonia-fueled ship designs, as acceptable ammonia emission levels are not yet clearly defined. Also, given the lack of knowledge about ammonia as a marine fuel, guidelines need to be defined as additional protection. As a result, low limits are typically included in classification society guidelines even before the International Maritime Organization (IMO) responds to the industry' interest in ammonia as a fuel with mandatory instruments. As a result, operating limits for ammonia set in existing class guidelines vary, and there is a need for coordinated alignment of thresholds for appropriate risk management to ensure standardization and guidance for the industry.

Alliances for Decarbonization

Oslo-listed investment firm Hunter Group bets on CO2 shipping: The Group has joined forces with class society DNV to develop a low-pressure midstream shipping solution for carbon capture and storage. The parties have agreed to work together on a 40,000 to 70,000 cu m liquified CO2 carrier with 20,000 to 30,000 cu m feeder vessels to be operated on the Norwegian Continental Shelf and European waters. Both technological and operational measures will be assessed, as well as hull and cargo tank designs. Alternative fuels such as ammonia, methanol, fuel cells, and CO2 abatement technologies will also be evaluated as part of the project. Hunter, which sold its entire fleet of four very large crude carriers (VLCCs) for $383m last year, said a large portion of the captured CO2 will involve seaborne transportation, which will require a substantial number of large CO2 carriers.

Wintershall Dea and Fluxys exploring options for cross-border CO2 transport: Germany’s Wintershall Dea and Belgium’s Fluxys have signed an agreement to jointly cooperate on a cross-border CO2 pipeline network connecting the two countries. As part of the project, CO2 emissions from industrial clusters in southern Germany are to be transported to the German-Belgian border via the planned pipeline network. From there, the CO2 will be transported via the CO2 network in Belgium developed by Fluxys to Zeebrugge on the Belgian North Sea coast, and subsequently to offshore CCS storage locations in the North Sea where Wintershall Dea is involved. Fluxys is constructing a CO2 hub in Zeebrugge as a collection point for the onward transport of industrial emissions to secure storage sites under the seabed of the North Sea. Wintershall Dea is also planning a CO2 hub, called CO2nnectNow, in Wilhelmshaven on the German North Sea coast.

Petronas and JOGMEC join hands for energy transition initiatives: Malaysian energy company Petronas and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in energy transition initiatives towards achieving respective energy transition and decarbonization targets. The initiatives include potential collaboration in green/blue hydrogen and fuel ammonia development, carbon capture and storage (CCS), as well as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management. The cooperation also aims to further enhance technical tie-ups and competencies in low-carbon technologies, while spurring business opportunities and providing technical and financial support for Japanese companies to participate in Petronas’ projects, both within and outside Malaysia Petronas stated.

Industry Actions

Sembcorp Marine to back Chevron’s lower carbon LNG fleet upgrade: Chevron Shipping Company, a subsidiary of energy major Chevron, has entered into an agreement with Sembcorp Marine Repairs & Upgrades Pte. Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine, with an aim to reduce the carbon intensity of its LNG fleet operations. Under the agreement, Sembcorp Marine will support Chevron in installing new technologies aboard its vessels in line with the company’s energy transition goals. The changes are also said to be in line with decarbonization targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). According to Chevron, its aim is to lower the carbon footprint of LNG transportation by installing new technologies such as a reliquefication system, hull air lubrication, and a new gas compressor. For its part of the work, the Singapore-based shipbuilder will provide Chevron with engineering, procurement, installation, and commissioning (EPIC) services and expects to complete the work by mid-2025.

K Line and Anglo American initiate collaborative decarbonization research: Japanese shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has teamed up with UK-based mining company Anglo American to start collaborative research on decarbonization. The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding the establishment of a working committee for collaborative research. K Line, which has been engaged in the seaborne transportation of raw materials for Anglo American, agreed to collaborate with the latter through the sharing of research and ideas and the utilization of both parties’ knowledge of new marine technology, alternative fuels, and other fields that have the potential to grow in the future to achieve their common goal of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At the beginning of the last year, K Line revealed plans to have zero-emission vessels by 2030 and later on, in May 2022, defined the marine transportation business using coal and iron ore carriers as one of its top priority areas driving growth in its Medium-Term Management Plan.

MSC is willing and ready to further adopt alternative fuels: World’s largest container shipping company MSC is ready to embrace alternative fuels as part of its commitment to decarbonize its operations, Claudio Abbate, Vice President of Maritime Policy and Government Affairs at MSC Group, said. Abbate said the company was “willing and ready” to further adopt and embrace alternative fuel solutions while speaking in Lisbon for the Economist Impact World Ocean Summit 2023. The panel examined the wider adoption of decarbonized shipping trade routes, also known as green corridors, as well as potential solutions to challenges still facing the industry regarding the wider adoption of new marine fuels. Commenting on what the future holds for the sector given the rapidly evolving landscape of regulation and alternative fuels, Claudio pointed out the importance of fuel flexibility and maintaining a range of fuel options as what appears to be potentially viable or mainstream today may not be the future. The Swiss-based container shipping giant MSC has the largest orderbook by far in the industry with around 134 containerships on order including the latest contract. Namely, in January 2023 MSC placed an order for ten LNG-fuelled boxships with Zhoushan Changhong, a joint venture between privately-owned Jiangsu Xin Chang Jiang Group and state-owned China International Marine Containers Group (CIMC).

MOL, Kobe Steel slash CO2 emissions from ore carrier’s Australia-Japan voyage: Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and compatriot firm Kobe Steel have offset carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fuel used in ocean transport of iron ore from Australia to Japan. As disclosed, the companies have offset the emissions through the use of voluntary carbon credits generated from the Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve project in Indonesia. The offsetting took place for the Capesize bulker under MOL’s operation, Shinzan Maru, which is engaged in a long-term iron ore transport contract with Kobe Steel. The voyage took about six weeks from Port Walcott, Australia, to Kakogawa Works in Kakogawa City, Hyogo Prefecture, where the iron ore was unloaded.

Next Generation of Vessels

BULKER

SWS delivers LNG-powered Capesize bulker to Maran Dry Management: Chinese shipbuilder Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has delivered a 190k dwt dual-fuel bulk carrier Ubuntu Unity to its owner Clouds Marine SA, based in the Marshall Islands. The LNG-powered Capesize bulk is intended for Greek-based Maran Dry Management, according to the data from VesselsValue and the Greek company’s website. The bulker spans 299.8 meters in length, 24.70 meters in molded depth, and has a design speed of 14 knots. This ship is equipped with two C-type LNG fuel tanks, and its endurance in the gas mode is 20,000 nautical miles. The ship has also been fitted with energy-saving devices and advanced technological solutions to minimize its fuel consumption, the shipbuilder said. It is classed by DNV and it will sail under a Greek flag.

Himalaya takes delivery of 1st dual-fuel 210,000 dwt bulker from NTS: Bermuda-based bulk carrier company Himalaya Shipping has taken delivery of the first out of twelve new dual-fuel 210,000 dwt bulk carriers from Chinese shipbuilder New Times Shipyard (NTS). As disclosed, the vessel Mount Norefjell, which was launched in November last year, will commence a two-year time charter. According to Himalaya Shipping, the design of the vessel will also allow for future conversion to next-generation fuels. The ship will also be fitted with scrubbers allowing them to run on high sulfur fuel oil as well as LNG and low sulfur fuel oil. The shipowner expects that the scrubber installation would increase the flexibility of the vessel and that the investment would be paid back in less than 1.5 years.

CONTAINER

9 e-methane-ready dual-fuel box ships joined CMA CGM’s fleet in 2022: French container shipping major CMA CGM welcomed nine e-methane-ready dual-fuel container ships into the fleet in 2022. The ships pertain to CMA CGM’s $10.2 billion investment in a fleet of 77 LNG-powered and “e-methane ready” vessels of which 32 are already in operation. The company also has six bio-methanol-powered, e-methanol-ready ships that are scheduled to become available by the end of 2026. Last year, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) completed and delivered ten 15,000 TEU containerships to its French partner CMA CGM. The occasion was marked by the delivery of the LNG-powered containership CMA CGM Greenland.

TANKER

International Seaways welcomes the first dual-fuel LNG VLCC for charter with Shell: New York-based tanker company International Seaways has taken delivery of the first dual-fuel LNG very large crude carrier (VLCC) Seaways Endeavor. Seaways Endeavor is the first of three dual-fuel LNG VLCCs ordered by the company at the South Korean shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) in 2021. The remaining two vessels are also expected to be delivered this year. All three vessels will be managed by UK-based ship management company V.Group and deployed on seven-year time charters with energy giant Shell. In addition to emission-reducing LNG-powered engines, the ships also feature optimized hull forms and propellers, wake improvement ducts, and rudder bulbs to further improve vessel efficiency.

Performance Shipping orders LNG-ready LR2 Aframax: Greek tanker owner Performance Shipping has signed a contract with China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited and Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding for the construction of a 114,000 dwt LNG-ready LR2 Aframax product/crude oil tanker worth $62.6 million. The shipowner said that the tanker is slated for delivery during the fourth quarter of 2025. The vessel will be equipped with an electronic Main Engine with High-Pressure Selective Catalytic Reactor (HPSCR) for Tier III (NOx Emissions) compliance, an exhaust gas cleaning system for Tier II (NOx Emissions) compliance, and a ballast water treatment system (BWTS).

OTHER

Amogy to bring 1st ammonia-powered ship to life: Brooklyn-based technology startup Amogy Inc. is retrofitting a tugboat to run on its ammonia-to-power system and is planning to present the vessel in late 2023. Namely, Amogy intends to sail the tugboat later in 2023 in upstate New York, pending further safety testing and regulatory discussions. The company revealed the plans at CERAWeek 2023. The tugboat is powered by diesel generators and electric motors, and it will be outfitted with a 1-megawatt version of the company’s ammonia-to-power system.

Port of Hiroshima welcomes NYK’s LNG-powered PCTC: On 27 February, an LNG-fueled pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) entered the Port of Hiroshima for the first time. The vessel, Jasmine Leader, is NYK’s third LNG-fueled PCTC and the first of four to be delivered from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) Co. Before entering port, the vessel received LNG fuel from Kaguya, an LNG-bunkering ship operated by Central LNG Marine Fuel Japan Corporation, which is a joint venture owned by NYK and other companies.

SHORT SEA SHIPPING

Vertom splashes 2nd methanol/hydrogen-ready electric bulker: Dutch short sea shipping company Vertom Group has launched the second in a series of six diesel-electric dry bulk vessels being built by compatriot Thecla Bodewes Shipyards. As informed, the vessel Vertom Cyta was launched and christened at Tecla Bodewes Shipyards in the Netherlands on 23 February. The company held a keel-laying ceremony for the bulker in September 2022. Vertom Cyta, like its sites ship Vertom Patty which was delivered last December, is a 7,000 dwt diesel-electric multi-purpose dry cargo vessel of the LABRAX design.

CRUISE / FERRIES

LNG-powered Sun Princess hits the water at Fincantieri: Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has launched Sun Princess at its yard in Monfalcone, the first of two LNG-powered cruise ships being built for Princess Cruises, an American cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation. With 175,500 gross tons, Sun Princess is the largest ship built in Italy so far, as well as the first dual-fuel ship powered mainly by LNG to enter the Princess fleet. With a capacity of 4,000m3, the vessel is expected to be able to run on LNG for almost 9 days sailing at service speed. The secondary fuel is marine gas oil so no heavy or intermediate fuel oil will be carried on board. The vessel will be outfitted with two shore power connections, on both the port and starboard side of the vessel to enable the ship to turn off the engines and connect to local electric power to run all onboard services during day-long calls in various ports.

GSI delivers first battery-hybrid ferry to P&O Ferries: China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) has delivered the first out of two new battery-hybrid ferries to British ferry operator P&O Cruises. As informed, the delivery ceremony took place on 28 February. After the delivery, the ship will be put into operation in the English Channel, mainly traveling between the port of Dover in the UK and the port of Calais in France.

Technology

FlagshipONE to use Siemens Energy technology for e-fuel production: FlagshipONE plant, expected to be Europe’s largest commercial production facility for carbon-neutral marine fuels, will use a technology package from German company Siemens Energy. The package comprises four proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers with a total capacity of 70 megawatts (MW), as well as the plant-wide electrification and automation systems, including innovative digitalization solutions (such as the use of digital twins), and the entire power distribution and compressor systems. The plant, being built in the Swedish coastal town of Örnsköldsvik by Danish energy company Ørsted, is expected to produce up to 50,000 metric tonnes of e-methanol per year from renewable energy and biogenic carbon dioxide from 2025. According to Siemens Energy, Ørsted’s plant represents the start of commercial production of carbon-neutral e-methanol in Europe and will act as a blueprint that can be scaled and replicated at other locations, in Sweden and elsewhere.

Wärtsilä receives 1st order for CCS-ready scrubber systems: Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has received its first order for carbon capture and storage (CCS)-ready scrubber systems. As disclosed, four 8,200 TEU container vessels being built at an undisclosed Asian yard will be fitted with Wärtsilä’s CCS-Ready 35MW scrubber in an open loop configuration. The scrubbers are termed CCS-Ready because, as part of their installation, Wärtsilä will perform additional design and engineering work to ensure that future retrofits for a full CCS system on the vessels have already been accounted for during the newbuilding construction stage. The firm will take measures to ensure adequate space for the future installation of CCS system, incorporate considerations for minimizing idle load and optimizing utilities, and prepare the control and automation system accordingly.

New range of injection systems for low-carbon fuels in the making: Woodward, an engine injection system manufacturer, is developing a new range of injection systems to support the ongoing transition to new fuels in the global energy industry. According to Woodward, the comprehensive portfolio of new systems will be applicable for new and future fuel-powered engines including methanol and ammonia. Designed to support the transition, the systems for power-to-X (P2X) fuels in large engines will range from 100 kW/Cylinder to over 1000 kW/Cylinder to enable all possible combustion concepts. For applications that require the highest levels of power density and efficiency, Woodward said it is developing a high-pressure dual-fuel (HPDF) platform for methanol and ammonia injection with full diesel backup capability.

MOL and Vale to install Norsepower rotor sails on bulker: The two companies have announced a partnership to install rotor sails to a 200,000 tonne bulk carrier employed on a mid-term transportation contract with Vale. The vessel will be fitted with two 35 m x 5 m rotor sails produced by Norsepower. Norsepower’s rotor sails are expected to result in 6 – 10% fuel and GHG emissions savings for the vessel, combined with optimization technology. The installation of the rotor sails is expected in the first half of 2024.

CO2 Storage

Five companies in line for carbon storage acreage in Norway’s waters: The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has received applications from five companies seeking permits related to the injection and storage of CO2 on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). The area is located in the North Sea and was announced on 11 January in accordance with the storage regulations. The Norwegian ministry reported that it had received applications from five companies by the time the application deadline expired on 22 February. The companies that have applied for the acreage are Equinor, Neptune Energy Norway, Storegga Norge, Sval Energi, and Wintershall Dea Norge. The ministry is now set to process the received applications with an aim to allocate land according to the storage regulations during the first half of the year.

Fuels

GTT wins ClassNK approvals for innovations in alternative fuels technology: Japanese classification society ClassNK has issued four Approvals in Principle (AiPs) to French LNG containment specialist GTT recognizing the company’s latest development projects in alternative fuels. ClassNK said that it had carried out the verification of these accomplishments in line with its rules including Part N incorporating the IGC Code, Part GF incorporating the IGF Code, and its Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels. Among the above, the AiP for Recycool™ marked the world-first AiP for a system of its kind.

URBAS and AECOM team up for green and sustainable fuels projects: Spain-based URBAS, specialized in sustainable infrastructures and buildings, real estate development, and renewable energies, has signed an agreement with US-based AECOM, an engineering, architecture, and sustainability company, to develop green hydrogen, green ammonia, and sustainable fuels projects that support the global energy transition.

Through this agreement, URBAS and AECOM said they will work to identify joint business opportunities and offer competitive integrated solutions on an international scale in hydrogen production and transformation projects, as well as the generation of synthetic and sustainable fuels, with a special focus on green methanol projects in Spain.

LNG

Avenir LNG and SSES bunker ZIM’s first LNG-fueled boxship: UK-based small-scale LNG company Avenir LNG and Shanghai SIPG Energy Service (SSES), a subsidiary of Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), have delivered LNG to ZIM Integrated Shipping Services’ first LNG-fueled containership. According to Avenir, the 15,000 TEU ZIM Sammy Ofer was bunkered with LNG on 2 March 2023 at Yangshan Port. The operation was carried out by SSES’ 20,000 cbm bunkering vessel Hai Gang Wei Lai. The vessel is the first of ten ships ordered by Seaspan as part of a long-term mutual chartering agreement with ZIM Integrated Shipping Services. The deliveries of the remaining nine containerships are anticipated to begin in the first half of 2023.

Shell to supply LNG for Hapag-Lloyd newbuilds: Shell Western LNG has reached a multi-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement with German shipping firm Hapag-Lloyd to support marine fuel decarbonization. Under the agreement, Shell will deliver LNG to Hapag-Lloyd’s new ultra-large dual-fuel boxships, which will each have a capacity of more than 23,500 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

The company plans to begin bunkering for the 12 new vessels during the second half of the year. The vessels will receive the LNG at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. They will operate on the Europe-Far East route and call at major ports, including Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Hamburg, Germany; Singapore; and Shanghai, China. LNG usage is expected to help Hapag-Lloyd instantly lower the CO₂ intensity of the vessels by up to 23% compared to conventional fuels. It is also said to almost eliminate particle emissions entirely.

Methanol

Methanol boxship orders growing more rapidly than all other fuel types: The container segment is leading shipping to new green pastures, taking a massive lead when it comes to investing in methanol propulsion.

According to Alphaliner, methanol boxship orders have grown more rapidly than LNG in the last six months, while carriers have all but ditched orders for conventional fuel oil tonnage with just 8% of orders by capacity so far this year going for the old fashioned bunker fuel. LNG and methanol dual-fuel tonnage now represent 40% of the container orderbook. It is the speed with which methanol has been embraced which has caught the eye. The methanol-fuelled boxship orderbook now stands at 68 ships of 0.93m teu. The segment now represents 12% of the orderbook by capacity, versus less than 1% a year ago.

Methanex and MOL complete first-ever net-zero voyage fuelled by bio-methanol: Methanex Corporation (Methanex) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) are pleased to announce the dual-fuel vessel “Cajun Sun” successfully completed the first-ever net-zero voyage fuelled by bio-methanol. The voyage is an example of how Methanex and MOL are collaborating to demonstrate the viability of methanol as a marine fuel with a pathway to net-zero emissions. The Cajun Sun, operated by Methanex’s subsidiary Waterfront Shipping and chartered from MOL, departed from Geismar, U.S. on January 17 and arrived in Antwerp, Belgium on February 4. By blending ISCC-certified bio-methanol that has negative carbon intensity with natural gas-based methanol, net-zero greenhouse gas emissions on a lifecycle basis were achieved for the 18-day trans-Atlantic voyage. This innovative fuel solution offers shipping companies the ability to achieve net-zero carbon emissions today, supporting the industry’s transition to a low-carbon future.

Biofuels

IINO trials BP’s marine biofuel on its chemical tanker in Singapore: Tokyo-based shipping company IINO Kaiun Kaisha has conducted a trial on one of its chemical tankers using a marine biofuel blend delivered by British oil and gas company BP in Singapore. On 18 December 2022, IINO’s chemical tanker Chemroad Echo was supplied with B24 marine biofuel, consisting of 24% fatty acid methyl easter (FAME), blended with very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO). According to IINO, the FAME component of the marine biofuel blend used in this trial led to a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the voyage on a lifecycle, well-to-wake approach. Biofuel blends are described as particularly helpful as a “drop-in” solution available to existing fleets without the need for modifications to the engine or infrastructure in most applications.

Marine biofuel demonstration on LPG carrier completed: Astomos Energy Corporation (Astomos) and NYK Line have completed a pilot on the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier Lycaste Peace (owned by NYK Line and chartered by Astomos), bunkering FAME B24* marine biofuel in Singapore. The test voyage was completed on February 26. The demonstration is part of a project to establish an assurance framework for the supply chain of sustainable biofuels led by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonization (GCMD), a non-profit organization in Singapore that aims to support the decarbonization of the shipping industry. In this demonstration test, Astomos and NYK Line, together with the biofuel bunker supplier, proved that the sustainable biofuels in this case are traceable along the supply chain, by tracking the transportation of biofuel from the place of production to Singapore, blending the biofuel with conventional fuels, the site of bunkering, and management of the blended fuels.

Peninsula starts supplying biofuels in the Strait of Gibraltar: Marine fuel supplier Peninsula is commencing the supply of biofuels at its hub ports in the Strait of Gibraltar as part of its strategy to meet increased complexity in the marine fuel mix. Peninsula has recently received a permit from ISCC – International Sustainability and Carbon Certification related to physical supply operations in Gibraltar, Algeciras and nearby ports. According to the company, the ISCC permits the supply of biofuels from feedstocks that have fully traceable, sustainable, and GHG-reducing supply chains, which enables Peninsula to directly support customers seeking drop-in biofuel solutions to help lower their carbon emissions.

Ports

Ports of Los Angeles, and Gothenburg strengthen ties on digitalization and decarbonization: Officials from two of the world’s busiest ports, the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their cooperation in a range of areas including sustainability, digital and physical infrastructure, and potential trade opportunities. The MOU was signed at a ceremony held at the Port of Los Angeles last week. The Port of Los Angeles’ Executive Director, Gene Seroka, emphasized the importance of the partnership in his statement, saying that the ports must work together to modernize, innovate, and share best practices due to their pivotal role in the global economy. The MOU builds on an already strong relationship and a shared pursuit of excellence in all aspects of port operations. The two ports will also collaborate on alternative fuels, as well as on strategies to incorporate new and emerging green technologies to minimize the impact of port operations on local communities and the overall environment.

Port of Rotterdam: €3 bln invested in energy transition projects in 2022: Port of Rotterdam has seen several investments in energy transition projects in 2022 worth a total of approximately € 3 billion. Some of these projects include investments in a major biorefinery and Europe’s largest green-hydrogen plant. In July 2022 subsidiaries of Shell have taken the final investment decision (FID) to build Holland Hydrogen I, which will be Europe’s largest renewable hydrogen plant once operational in 2025. The role played by the Port Authority in the planned projects varies from project to project. However, the port has been particularly important in the development of infrastructure that allows companies to operate more sustainably.

ABP rolls out £2 billion green growth and decarbonization plan: Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading ports group, has launched its wide-ranging new sustainability strategy, Ready for Tomorrow (RFT), backed by a plan to invest around £2 billion in decarbonizing its own operations by 2040. As disclosed, Ready for Tomorrow looks both internally at ABP’s own operations and outwards, to building greater partnership and collaboration to meet the challenges and grasp the generational opportunities of sustainability. For ABP’s own operations, the plan identifies five focus areas for action: Net Zero, air quality, biodiversity, waste, and water management. Each focus area has a program of action plans – including action ideas from ABP’s employees in our ports and other locations – to achieve ambitious but credible targets. This includes a commitment to reach Net Zero from ABP’s own operations (Scopes 1 and 2) by 2040.

Governments

Germany joins Zero-Emission Shipping Mission to spur decarbonization drive: Germany has joined the Zero-Emission Shipping Mission as the new support member to accelerate its decarbonization drive. By joining the Mission, Germany acknowledges the importance of decarbonization of the maritime sector and recognizes the goals as a key lever in the pathway to net zero. The Mission is co-led by Denmark (Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Norway (Ministry of Climate and Environment), The United States (U.S. Department of Energy) as well as Global Maritime Forum (representing the Getting to Zero Coalition), and Mærsk McKinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.

Green Corridors

U.S. and Fiji working on establishing green shipping corridor: The United States of America, the Republic of Fiji, and the Pacific Blue Shipping Partnership have announced the intent to engage in technical cooperation to help facilitate the establishment of a green shipping corridor. Together, they intend to undertake a feasibility study to explore the potential of creating a green shipping corridor in the region, which can work to expand access to new fuels and technologies. Upon its completion, the partners will initiate discussions on the next steps among key stakeholders. With this announcement, Fiji is also joining the Green Shipping Challenge, an initiative that catalyzes actions from countries and non-state actors to advance the transition to a 1.5-aligned shipping sector.