Global Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre Network concept mooted at Joint IMO-Singapore Future-Ready Shipping conference
The concept of a global network of maritime technology cooperation centres to accelerate capacity building and technology transfer in the maritime field was one proposal discussed during the two-day inaugural Future-Ready Shipping 2015 Conference, a joint IMO-Singapore International Conference on Maritime Technology Transfer and Capacity Building, held in Singapore on 28-29 September 2015.
With strong private- and public-sector engagement, such a global network could act as a sustainable institutional framework to catalyze capacity building and technology transfer, delegates to the conference agreed during a break out session.
Another idea floated at the conference looked at the possibility of using domestic shipping in developing countries to demonstrate new technologies and to gain experience, thus acting as a pull factor for technology transfer.
It was also noted that the knowledge gap and readiness of maritime companies to effectively deploy new technologies could be addressed through the use of testing facilities, such as the “Maritime Energy Test Bed” at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University. Beyond the “hardware” aspect, the conference also noted that seafarers should have a greater voice in initiatives to improve ships’ energy efficiency.
Some 200 maritime leaders and professionals attended the conference, which kick-started a global dialogue on removing barriers to energy-efficiency technologies and measures. Discussions focused on how these efforts might be accelerated. IMO’s regulations on energy efficiency of international shipping include a requirement for States to support each other through capacity building and technology transfer.
Speakers to the conference gave presentations spanning the entire spectrum of technology development, technology transfer and capacity building as well as policy, economic and regulatory developments. The speakers shared on the creation of enabling environments; the current state of green ship technology and what might be expected in the future; and how to continue to promote and sustain capacity building and technology cooperation.
The conference was organized within the framework of the GEF-IMO-UNDP Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships Project (GloMEEP Project), which was launched during the conference. The establishment of a global network of maritime technology cooperation centres is an idea which could be further developed at IMO or under the GloMEEP umbrella.
“This was an excellent opportunity for a dialogue among a wide range of stakeholders. I sincerely hope that the dialogue we initiated here will continue so that ships, and shipping, are future-ready,” said Dr Stefan Micallef, Director, Marine Environment Division, IMO, at the close of the conference.
Noting the timing of the conference relative to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, to be held in Paris in November-December, Mr. Micallef said:
“This Joint IMO-Singapore Conference could not have come at a better time. It has illustrated that IMO and the maritime sector stand ready to support the global community to achieve its goals to address climate change that will be set in Paris later this year.”
Speaking at the opening of the conference, IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu said that it was important to understand the concept of technology transfer as actions of cooperation and partnership and not just a purely commercial transaction between developed and developing countries.
“My message to this Conference is three-fold. First, it is critically important to develop global partnership and networking mechanisms to accelerate cooperation in maritime technology transfer. Second, it is important to institutionalise the technology transfer and capacity building effort to meet the unique needs of maritime industry – the most international industry of all; and third, Government and industry leaders need to support this concept and to contribute to building this global partnership and network,” Mr. Sekimizu said.
Mr. Andrew Tan, Chief Executive, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, pledged his country’s support for this process.
“Climate change is one of the most significant threats facing the world today. Singapore is committed to be an integral part of IMO’s process to encourage the deployment and diffusion of environmentally-friendly ship technologies. We will continue to support platforms like Future-Ready Shipping 2015 where maritime leaders and professionals can gather to explore feasible, scalable and practical approaches to a more energy-efficient and low-carbon shipping. Working together, MPA and IMO will ensure strong pillars are in place within the maritime community to carry out global efforts in addressing ships’ greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr. Tan said.
Source & Image Credit: IMO
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