China Classification Society (CCS) is joining forces with several major Chinese marine industry companies to launch the ‘Sustainable Shipping Innovation and Development Initiative’ (SSIDI).
CCS launched SSIDI in Beijing with representatives of China Petrochemical Corporation, COSCO ShippingCo Ltd, China Merchants Energy Shipping Co Ltd and ICBC Financial Leasing Co Ltd who were among those to sign the initiative.
The launch gathering heard how SSIDI and its members will now work closely together to explore and research alternative fuels.
SSIDI’s extensive and in-depth research work will focus on the economy, safety, technology maturity, policies and regulations, fuel availability, market mechanism and other aspects of alternative fuels for shipping.
CCS vice president Fan Qiang said: “With accelerated policy making and developments to reduce shipping emissions led by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), European Union and other global organisations, the industry-wide consensus is to promote the application of alternative fuels in shipping.
“This will lead to significant changes in the entire international shipping industry, and it will have a profound impact on all upstream and downstream industries.
“However, it is important to recognise that amid this drive to alternative fuels there are still many uncertain factors that must be addressed.
“These include fuel supply, ship financing, technology development, and standard formulation. These are far beyond the scope of traditional shipping and require joint exploration by all parties across the entire industry chain.
“It is for this reason, CCS has launched the SSIDI with interested parties in energy, shipping, finance and other sections of the marine sector.
“We are looking to build a strong co-operative research platform that will conduct extensive and in-depth research into sustainable shipping innovation and development.
“We believe this partnership and shared knowledge approach is vital and that SSIDI will play a major role in the shipping industry’s low carbon journey.”
The SSIDI will work together to promote clean energy safety and look at how a sustainable shipping innovation and development industry chain can be developed. The initiative will also strengthen members’ strategic cooperation on climate change.
The launch was also attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China including Mr Yi Jiyong - Deputy director general of the Water Transport Bureau Li Guanyu - Deputy director general of the International Cooperation Department and Mr Du Guoguang - the level II bureau rank official of the Maritime Safety Administration.
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