The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and Port of Long Beach (POLB) have unveiled a partnership strategy for a green and digital shipping corridor (GDSC) across the Pacific Ocean.
The release of the partnership strategy — during the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28 ) — follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by MPA, POLA and POLB during Singapore Maritime Week in April 2023.
The MoU formalised the partnership, which is supported by C40 Cities, with the aim of establishing a GDSC connecting the three global hub ports.
In a joint statement, the partners noted that the scope of cooperation through the partnership strategy and success indicators specified within build upon the MoU signed in April 2023 and reaffirmed the corridor partners' commitment to drive global action to digitalise and decarbonise the shipping industry and improve efficiencies.
The GDSC Strategy outlines steps to accelerate decarbonisation of the maritime shipping industry by enabling first-mover organisations to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the earliest feasible date, in support of the goals defined by the 2023 International Maritime Organization's Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.
The ports and C40 will work together and with value chain stakeholders from the fuel and maritime sectors to coordinate decarbonisation efforts to enable ships calling at the Port of Singapore, Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the earliest feasible date; build consensus on green shipping best practices; and improve access to and adoption of technology and digital solutions by working to develop and deploy innovative technology and digital solutions.
The partners also seek to leverage networks, including those established by the three ports and other parties, to scale the uptake of zero and near-zero emission technologies, fuels and energy sources.
The strategy also outlines processes for onboarding new participants, financial management, confidentiality and decision-making.
"As the next steps, the ports and C40 have commissioned a study to analyse trade flows and vessel traffic between Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach," the announcement said, adding that the study will also estimate the quantity of near-zero and zero-emission fuels required for this traffic, and guide implementation by identifying opportunities for collaboration to advance the development of the GDSC.
The founding partners will now engage stakeholders from across the shipping and fuel supply value chains that share the GDSC's vision and aims, with the intention of onboarding new corridor participants in 2024.
"We are excited to see this partnership grow from strength to strength with the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor Partnership Strategy. We have embarked on evaluating the various digital solutions and zero and near-zero fuel options that could be trialled along the route between Singapore and the San Pedro Bay Port Complex," said Teo Eng Dih, chief executive of MPA.
"We look forward to the support of all the corridor stakeholders over the coming months to conduct trials and potentially scale them for wider adoption," he added.
Gene Seroka, executive director at Port of LA, said the success of decarbonising shipping requires the resolve and dedication of the three partnering ports as well as our industry partners.
Meanwhile, Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach noted that over the last two decades, the port has learned that collaboration between maritime industry partners is the key to making meaningful progress in reducing emissions and cleaning the air.
"This transPacific green shipping corridor takes this concept global. The strategies we develop here can be used as a roadmap by a larger network of seaports and supply chain companies to invest in programs, technologies, software and infrastructure to decarbonize international trade everywhere," Corrdero said.
