Improved energy efficiency in shipping means use of less fuel, leading to less harmful emissions to the environment. In this context, IMO is leading the Global MTCC Network (GMN) initiative, funded by EU and designed to help shipping move into a new era of low-carbon operation.
Maritime Technology Cooperation Centres (MTCCs), built in targeted regions under a global network, are promoting technologies and operations to improve energy efficiency in the maritime sector.
Five MTCCs have been established in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific regions. Acting as centres of excellence for their regions, the MTCCs will work with partners to develop technical cooperation, capacity building and technology transfer – sharing the results and their experiences throughout the network to ensure a common approach to a global issue. As such, they are expected to play their part in supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Innovative programmes and projects are being developed and carried out by the MTCCs – all designed to promote energy-efficient technologies and operations. Main beneficiaries of the initiative will be Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.
In addition, for regions particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change, it’s a chance to get involved in promoting technologies and operations to improve energy efficiency in the maritime sector. Vivian Rambarath-Parasram, Head of MTCC-Caribbean, said:
When we saw this project, we saw it as an opportunity to build partnership throughout the region to mitigate, at least in the maritime sector, the impacts of climate change.
Estimates say ships’ energy consumption and CO2 emissions could be reduced by up to 75% by applying operational measures and implementing existing technologies. The GMN is on the cutting edge of climate-change mitigation – and, at the same time, opening up a world of opportunities for those who participate in it. Nancy W. Karigithu, Principal Secretary Maritime and Shipping Affairs, Kenya, said:
We’re looking forward to building capacity for not just Kenya but for the African region in general – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to improve air quality in our port cities.
The GMN project, formally entitled “Capacity Building for Climate Change Mitigation in the Maritime Shipping Industry”, is expected to act as focal point for:
- improving capability in the region – by working with maritime administrations, port authorities, other relevant government departments and related shipping stakeholders to facilitate compliance with international regulations on energy efficiency for ships
- promoting the uptake of low-carbon technologies and operations in the maritime sector through pilot projects
- raising awareness about policies, strategies and measures for the reduction of ghg and other emissions from the maritime transport sector
- demonstrating a pilot-scale system for collecting data and reporting on ships’ fuel consumption to improve shipowners’ and maritime administrations’ understanding in this regard, and
- developing and implementing strategies to sustain the impact of MTCC results and activities beyond the project time-line.
IMO has also launched an informative video on the initiative.