The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have jointly launched NextGEN Connect, a database which aims to bring industry stakeholders, academia and global research centers together to offer inclusive solutions on maritime decarbonization for trials along specific shipping routes.
The launch took place today (7 April) during the IMO-Singapore Future of Shipping Conference on Day 3 of Singapore Maritime Week 2022.
The NextGEN Connect Challenge is the next phase of the NextGEN initiative (the ‘GEN’ stands for ‘Green and Efficient Navigation’).
As previously reported, last September saw the launch of the NextGEN portal, which presently lists more than 150 decarbonisation projects and comprises over 500 stakeholders worldwide, including IMO Member States, shipowners, technology developers, classification societies and non-governmental organisations.
Under NextGEN Connect, stakeholders will be invited to propose methodologies to jointly develop, on a pilot basis, route-based action plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between specific points along a shipping route in the Asia-Pacific region.
NextGEN Connect serves as a collaborative platform that matches the challenges of sustainable shipping to diverse solution providers across borders and industries. The platform also shares innovative and successful projects that address common problems in shipping worldwide
…said S Iswaran, Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations. ‘In this way, no one is left behind on the access to creative sustainability solutions in achieving the goals of the Initial IMO GHG Strategy”, the Minister added.
The transition to a decarbonised maritime sector cuts across all aspects of shipping – from the supply and use of fuels to safety matters, port operations and training of seafarers. The trials on the use of new technologies and zero-carbon maritime fuels will support a safe shift, and we must ensure a just and equitable transition that recognises the need for skills and technology development in developing countries
…Kitack Lim, IMO’s Secretary-General, said. Kitack Lim stressed that collaboration, , information sharing, and capacity-building are key to ensuring no one is left behind in the push for the decarbonisation of the shipping sector.
What is more, during the conference, the preparatory phase of the IMO Coordinated Actions to Reduce Emissions from Shipping (IMO CARES) Technical Cooperation Framework was launched.
