The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (LR MDH) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a fleet-specific decarbonisation strategy.
The companies will set up an implementation plan for the ‘The Silk Alliance’ cross-industry initiative to enable zero-emission shipping across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Both companies aim to enhance their commitment to building collaborations in co-creating the green corridor to try decarbonisation techniques for container ships operating predominantly in Asia in order to achieve considerable emission-saving effects.
The collaboration also includes driving investments into scalable fuel supply infrastructure to meet the demand aggregation signal of members of The Silk Alliance and potential wider regional bunkering demands for alternative fuels.
MPA’s contribution to The Silk Alliance, which is based on the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub’s ‘First Mover Framework’, complements efforts to establish the supply of low- and zero-carbon fuel options, and also its collaboration with other partners to develop Green and Digital Shipping Corridors.
READ: Singapore, LA, LB work on green and digital shipping corridor
Nick Brown, CEO, Lloyd’s Register, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the MPA to the expanding ‘The Silk Alliance’ cross-industry collaboration.
“Flag and port authorities play a crucial role in increasing the industry’s confidence in zero-emissions shipping, and as the world’s largest bunkering hub, we see Singapore and the MPA as a driving force in advancing the safe uptake of low-to-zero emissions fuel in the global shipping industry.”
Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “MPA is pleased to be part of The Silk Alliance to accelerate the decarbonisation of container trade. The Silk Alliance will enable key stakeholders in Singapore to chart the transition towards low- and zero-carbon options.
“As the world’s largest transhipment container port and bunkering hub, Singapore will take active steps to support the decarbonisation of the container trade in line with IMO’s Revised Strategy to reduce emissions from shipping.”
Launched in May 2022 with 12 leading cross-supply chain stakeholders, The Silk Alliance brings together an integral group of organisations from both the private and public sector across the entire value chain of shipping.
Inaugural members reportedly include several notable shipping corporations such as PSA; shipowners, MSC Shipmanagement Ltd., Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd (PIL), Wan Hai Lines, X-Press Feeders, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.; shipyard, and others.
READ: ExxonMobil, Evergreen carry out marine biofuel delivery in Singapore
The Silk Alliance was initially focused on a baseline fleet that predominantly bunkers in Singapore and sails across Asia, East Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
The baseline fleet’s demand is projected to aggregate further to additional regional hubs and deep-sea routes as the implementation phase progresses, such as the Singapore-Rotterdam green and digital shipping corridor.
The Silk Alliance’s existing partners have undertaken a feasibility scenario study for green shipping for an in-scope fleet of containerships, according to MPA Singapore.
