The Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM Hubs) initiative has gained further support during a Ministerial event hosted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) at its 13th Assembly in Abu Dhabi.
IRENA welcomed the CEM Hubs initiative, a cross-sectoral public-private platform aimed to accelerate the production, transport and use of low-carbon fuels that will be transported by shipping for the world, implemented by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Association of Ports & Harbors (IAPH) and the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM).
The CEM Hubs Initiative taskforce, with other members of the shipping industry, actively engaged in a Ministerial Roundtable at IRENA’s 13th Assembly and joined in the discussions about renewable energy generation to produce low-carbon fuels, strategies going forward and the role of shipping and ports, to support the wider energy transition.
IRENA will continue to expand its collaboration with ICS and partners in the shipping sector to further strengthen the CEM Hubs initiative and accelerate the use of renewables-based fuels in the shipping and other end-use sectors
said IRENA.
Co-led by a taskforce of CEO’s and coordinated with the support of ICS and IAPH, the initiative was first presented at the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) in Pittsburgh in September 2022.
With the backing of five countries already – the UAE, Canada, Norway, Uruguay and Panama – the initiative continues to gain momentum to be launched as a CEM initiative at the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial in India in 2023.
The successful decarbonisation of the shipping sector is a story of massive deployment of renewable electricity and electrolyser technology. The decarbonisation of this sector needs to have a collaborative approach. Collaborative efforts involving the global shipping industry, governments and international organisations are key to achieve meaningful progress and build a more sustainable future for all of us
Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), commented:
Furthermore, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Chairman Emanuele Grimaldi, added that “renewable energy generation is not only vital for shipping but for the whole world, as it is a key component to scale the availability of low-carbon fuels.”
In fact, Patrick Verhoeven, Managing Director of the International Association of Ports & Harbours, believes that “with the joint collaboration of shipping, energy extractors and governments, ports can become the clean maritime energy hubs that catalyse shipping’s wider decarbonisation. Yet further government and institutional support is essential to provide the reassurances the private sector needs to invest in zero carbon fuels and onshore power provisions.”
To further the progress of global clean energy deployment, today’s discussions at the IRENA Assembly has once again highlighted the importance of developing a truly international Clean Energy Marine Hub
Dr Prasoon Agarwal, Acting Head of Secretariat, Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), concluded.
