The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), and the Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly support the development of capabilities in carbon accounting amongst maritime companies in Singapore.

In a statement, MPA said under the MoU, the three parties will cooperate in the following areas: training on carbon reporting, monitoring and management for local maritime companies affiliated with SSA; support local maritime companies in their journey to track and monitor their carbon emissions, and developing a guide on maritime sector carbon reporting.

“A collective effort is key to helping the local maritime industry achieve their decarbonisation goals. MPA is pleased to partner with GCNS to tap on its expertise on corporate sustainability, as well as to tap on the industry know-how and network of SSA in this critical endeavour to help maritime companies transit to a more sustainable future,” said Quah Ley Hoon, chief executive of MPA.

For his part, Michael Phoon, executive director of SSA, said: “As a key maritime stakeholder, SSA can contribute to the IMO 2050 decarbonisation goals by steering our members and the shipping community to undertake carbon accounting, and embrace efforts towards reducing carbon footprint. We hope this collaboration with MPA and GCNS will enable the shipping industry to do our part towards decarbonisation.” 

Esther Chang, Executive Director of GCNS said “as a key engine of Singapore's economy, the maritime industry has great potential to steer actions and progress on decarbonisation.” 

Through an MoU signed in 2017, MPA partnered GCNS to provide maritime companies with training on sustainability reporting. The MoU was extended in 2020 till 2023 to promote carbon management and awareness amongst maritime companies.