The Maritime Just Transition Task Force, founded by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the International Transport Workers’ Federation and the UN Global Compact, announced that the Singapore Maritime Foundation has become its first public program partner.
The announcement was made at an event during Singapore Maritime Week. As informed, the Singapore Maritime Foundation will act as a contributor to the Task Force’s work including its first project on skills in maritime.
It was announced that the Maritime Just Transition Task Force will launch a report at COP27 in November on the skills needed for a just and equitable green transition in maritime. The report will quantify the number of seafarers that will need to be trained or upskilled to handle the green fuels of the future and the findings will feed into the creation of policy development and provide clear steps for the shipping industry to take.
The Task Force was established at COP26 in Glasgow. Its founding members also include the UN’s shipping body, the International Maritime Organization and the International Labor Organization. It brings together governments, maritime workers’ unions, and the shipping industry to pursue a fair and equitable green transition in shipping. Its purpose is to ensure that workers’ rights and developing economies’ access to zero-emission vessels and zero-carbon fuels remain at the center of policy decisions.
Additional industry Project Partners announced at the event included:
Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, MSC, Ocean Technologies Group, Ocean Network Express, PTC, and knowledge partners including the World Bank International Finance Corporation (IFC), Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Ocean Conservancy, Carbon Trust and the World Maritime University. The Task Force is also supported by Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
The global shipping industry is responsible for about 3% of global GHG emissions. Reskilling and upskilling the workforce is integral to transitioning industry to a zero-emission value chain of new fuel production and distribution and building the new infrastructure to support it.
People are powering this green transition, and they must be set up for success. This is why we established the Just Transition Taskforce to ensure the seafarer workforce is supported. The first step is to quantify the skills needed for our workforce to be able to safely work on zero-emission vessels.
…Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping remarked and added that “We will collaborate with industry and governments to ensure no seafarer is left behind, and that developing nations will have equal access to the same training and support. ICS is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that developing economies are supported so we can make the green transition together.”
It is fantastic to have new partners like the Singapore Maritime Foundation joining the task force as its critical work begins to gather steam. Singapore continues to be a key global maritime hub, and it is clear that they want to be part of helping drive this industry transformation
…Stephen Cotton, General Secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation said.
As the global community works to urgently halve emissions by 2030 to ensure a 1.5°C future, we must ensure the transition is just, equitable and inclusive, involving governments, unions and the private sector in continuous dialogue
…Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director, UN Global Compact remarked. Sanda also added that “With over 87 million people employed by our nearly 14,000 Participant companies, the UN Global Compact is uniquely positioned to scale the collective global impact of business to support a just transition.”
