Collaboration aimed at decarbonizing ocean cargo transport
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Port of Long Beach, Port of Los Angeles, and C40 Cities have begun discussions to establish a green and digital shipping corridor between Singapore and the San Pedro Bay port complex.
The corridor will focus on low- and zero-carbon ship fuels, as well as digital tools to support deployment of low- and zero-carbon ships.
This collaborative effort supports the Green Shipping Challenge launched during the World Leaders’ Summit at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, this week. Convened by the United States and Norway, the Green Shipping Challenge encourages governments, ports, maritime carriers, cargo owners and others in the shipping value chain to commit to concrete steps at COP27 to galvanize global action to decarbonize the shipping industry.
“Decarbonizing the supply chain is the future of our industry, and partnerships like this on the world’s most important trade route are important for fulfilling that ultimate goal,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “We’re excited about developing this initiative in the coming months and what it means for making operations more efficient while advancing the fight against global warming.”
“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime supply chain is essential, and this trans-Pacific partnership will help us build a network of ports and key stakeholders to help decarbonize goods movement throughout the Pacific region,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We look forward to coordinating with our partners to develop an implementation plan on this critical initiative.”
As hub ports, Singapore, Long Beach, and Los Angeles are vital nodes on the trans-Pacific shipping lanes and key stakeholders in the maritime sector’s green transition. The three ports and C40 Cities will work closely with other stakeholders in the maritime and energy value chains to accelerate the deployment of low- and zero-carbon emission solutions, identify digital shipping programs, and develop green fuel sources for bunkering to support efficient cargo movement. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the green and digital shipping corridor aims to catalyze investment in green infrastructure, including zero-carbon energy hubs linked to port and shipping demand.
“The trans-Pacific corridor is one of the busiest trade routes in the world,” said Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA. “MPA is pleased to support the development of a green and digital shipping corridor with the USA through the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach, given their strong connectivity and existing initiatives with C40 Cities. Through this corridor, we hope to support the decarbonization of global supply chains, complementing efforts undertaken by the industry and the International Maritime Organization to drive the decarbonization and digital transition for international shipping.”
“Accelerating efforts to decarbonize the shipping sector is urgent if we are to limit global warming to 1.5°C,” said C40 Executive Director Mark Watts. “This initiative has the potential to serve a range of carriers and routes by reimagining infrastructure designs and operational best practices, and advancing the feasibility of zero-carbon fuel production, supply, storage and bunkering.”
About the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
MPA was established on Feb. 2, 1996, with the mission to develop Singapore as a premier global hub port and international maritime center, and to advance and safeguard Singapore’s strategic maritime interests. MPA is the driving force behind Singapore’s port and maritime development, taking on the roles of Port Authority, Port Regulator, Port Planner, IMC Champion and National Maritime Representative. MPA partners with industry and other agencies to enhance safety, security and environmental protection in our port waters, facilitate port operations and growth, expand the cluster of maritime ancillary services, and promote maritime R&D and manpower development.
For more information, please visit www.mpa.gov.sg.
About the Port of Long Beach
The Port of Long Beach is a global leader in operational excellence and top-notch customer service, moving cargo with reliability, speed and efficiency — making it the premier U.S. gateway for trans-Pacific trade. As the nation’s second-busiest container seaport, the Port of Long Beach handles trade valued at $200 billion annually and supports 2.6 million trade-related jobs across the United States, including 575,000 in Southern California and 1 in 5 jobs in Long Beach. In 2022, industry leaders named it “The Best West Coast Seaport in North America” for the fourth consecutive year. The Port processed a record amount of cargo in 2021, with 9.38 million twenty-foot equivalent units. In the next 10 years, the Port is planning $2.6 billion in capital improvements aimed at enhancing capacity, competitiveness and sustainability.
For more information, please visit www.polb.com.
About the Port of Los Angeles
The busiest seaport in the Western Hemisphere, the Port of Los Angeles is North America’s leading trade gateway and has ranked as the number one container port in the United States for 22 consecutive years. In 2021, the Port facilitated $294 billion in trade and handled a total of 10.7 million container units, the busiest calendar year in the Port’s 115-year history. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs across the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura.
About the C40 Cities
C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities who are working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis and create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. Through a Global Green New Deal, mayors are working alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labor, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to go further and faster than ever before. The current Chair of C40 is Mayor of London Sadiq Khan; and three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the Board. C40’s work is made possible by our three strategic funders: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and Realdania.