United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, H.E Suhail Al Mazrouei, and CEO Det Norske Veritas Maritime, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishing a new UAE Decarbonization Centre.
The signing took place during a ceremony at the IMO headquarters in London.
The Marine Environment Protection Committee’s (MEPC) 80th session this month showed that shipping is now on an accelerating path towards full decarbonisation, reported the DNV in a recent statement.
DNV further reported that the challenge of realising this goal is complex and can only be achieved through a cooperative cross-industry effort.
The new UAE Maritime Decarbonization Centre is designed to put this collaborative focus at the centre of sustainable decarbonisation.
It will reportedly work to connect stakeholders from across the maritime industry and beyond, to become a driving force for reducing green-house gas (GHG) emissions globally.
“The establishment of the UAE Maritime Decarbonization Centre reflects our unwavering commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable practices within the maritime industry,” said Al Mazrouei.
“By collaborating with DNV, we aim to leverage their expertise and global network to drive innovation and accelerate the adoption of decarbonisation technologies.
“The centre will play a pivotal role in advancing our national and regional sustainability goals, while contributing to the global efforts in combating climate change.”
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“The Foundation Det Norske Veritas is driven by a desire to help society tackle major global transformations,” said Remi Eriksen, President and CEO of the Foundation Det Norske Veritas and DNV.
The recent IMO decision to greatly strengthen international shipping’s emissions targets will spur the maritime industry to accelerate its transition.
The centre will take a multi-faceted approach, working on leading joint industry research programmes, collaboration with governmental, industry, and academic stakeholders, and attracting and developing new talent to the industry.
In addition, the centre will focus on programmes that incubate and accelerate the development of new technologies and provide a centralised hub for information on decarbonisation solutions.
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“We are very pleased to collaborate with the UAE’s Ministry of Infrastructure & Energy to establish the Maritime Decarbonization Centre,” said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV Maritime.
“With its strategic location and strong support from industry leaders, the centre is poised to become a hub for maritime decarbonisation efforts.”
The partners are planning to launch the centre at the beginning of 2024.
More recently, DNV fully acquired Helsinki-headquartered cyber security services firm Nixu following a public tender offer.
