A green, digital maritime corridor connecting Singapore and the San Pedro Bay port complex has been discussed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, and C40 Cities. The corridor will concentrate on digital technologies to enable the deployment of low- and zero-carbon ships and low- and zero-carbon fuels for bunkering.
This joint initiative backs the Green Shipping Challenge, which was introduced at the World Leaders’ Summit of the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
The Green Shipping Challenge, organised by the United States and Norway, calls on governments, ports, marine carriers, cargo owners, and others involved in the shipping value chain to make firm commitments at COP27 to spur worldwide action to decarbonise the shipping industry. Singapore, Los Angeles, and Long Beach are crucial hub ports on the trans-Pacific shipping lanes and significant players in the green transformation of the marine industry.
To accelerate the deployment of low- and zero-carbon emission solutions, identify digital shipping programmes, and develop green fuel sources for bunkering to support effective cargo movement, the three ports and C40 Cities will collaborate closely with other stakeholders in the maritime and energy value chains.
The green and digital shipping corridor aim to stimulate investment in green infrastructure, including hubs for zero-carbon energy connected to port and shipping demand, in addition to lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
One of the busiest commercial corridors in the world is the trans-Pacific one. Given their excellent connection and ongoing C40 Cities activities, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are excellent candidates for the creation of a green and digital maritime corridor with the United States.
“Through this corridor, we hope to support the decarbonisation of global supply chains, complementing efforts undertaken by the industry and the International Maritime Organisation to drive the decarbonisation and digital transition for international shipping,” says Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA.
Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, on the other hand, said that the decarbonisation of cargo movement throughout the Pacific region depends on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime supply chain. He added that this trans-Pacific partnership will assist them in developing a network of ports and important stakeholders. They are eager to work with their partners to create an implementation strategy for this important project.
Decarbonising the supply chain is the industry’s future, according to Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, and collaborations like these on the busiest trade route in the world are crucial to achieving that aim. In the upcoming months, they are enthusiastic to grow this programme and see what it means for improving operations and helping the battle against global warming.
The effort, according to Mark Watts, executive director of C40, has the potential to benefit a variety of carriers and routes by reinventing infrastructure designs and operating best practices and expanding the viability of zero-carbon fuel production, delivery, storage, and bunkering.
The MPA collaborates with businesses and other organisations to protect the environment, facilitate port operations and expansion, grow the cluster of marine ancillary services, and advance maritime R&D and workforce development. The Port of Singapore’s entire expansion and development are the responsibility of MPA.