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Singapore, LA and Long Beach unveil Partnership Strategy for Pacific Ocean green and digital shipping corridor

Ports and C40 have commissioned a study to analyse trade flows and vessel traffic between the three locations as well as estimate quantity of near-zero/zero-emission bunker fuels required for this traffic.
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Singapore, LA and Long Beach unveils Partnership Strategy for Pacific Ocean green and digital shipping corridor

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Port of Los Angeles (POLA) and Port of Long Beach (POLB) on Wednesday (6 December) unveiled a Partnership Strategy for a green and digital shipping corridor (GDSC) across the Pacific Ocean at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference.

The release of the Partnership Strategy follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by MPA, POLA and POLB during Singapore Maritime Week in April 2023. The MoU formalised the partnership, which is supported by C40 Cities, with the aim of establishing a GDSC connecting the three global hub ports.

The scope of cooperation through the Partnership Strategy and success indicators specified within build upon the MoU signed in April 2023 and reaffirm the corridor partners’ commitment to drive global action to digitalise and decarbonise the shipping industry and improve efficiencies.

The GDSC Strategy outlines steps to accelerate decarbonisation of the maritime shipping industry by enabling first mover organisations to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the earliest feasible date, in support of the goals defined by the 2023 International Maritime Organization’s Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships. The ports and C40 will work together and with value-chain stakeholders from the fuel and maritime sectors to:

● Coordinate decarbonisation efforts: GDSC partners will help to catalyse and coordinate efforts to enable ships calling at the Port of Singapore, Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the earliest feasible date. 

● Build consensus on green shipping best practices: GDSC partners will seek to establish consensus around green shipping best practices and standards.

● Improve access to and adoption of technology and digital solutions: To enhance supply chain efficiency, resilience and decarbonisation while reducing costs and improving reliability, GDSC partners will work to develop and deploy innovative technology and digital solutions.

● Leverage networks: GDSC partners will work with stakeholders involved in other green shipping initiatives, including those established by the three ports and other parties, to scale the uptake of zero and near-zero emission technologies, fuels and energy sources.

To achieve these aims, a partnership structure and governance mechanism have been developed to provide clarity on the roles and responsibilities of GDSC partners. The strategy also outlines processes for onboarding new participants, financial management, confidentiality and decision-making.

As next steps, the ports and C40 have commissioned a study to analyse trade flows and vessel traffic between Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach. The study will estimate the quantity of near-zero and zero-emission fuels required for this traffic, and guide implementation by identifying opportunities for collaboration to advance the development of the GDSC.

The founding partners will now engage stakeholders from across the shipping and fuel supply value chains that share the GDSC’s vision and aims, with the intention of onboarding new corridor participants in 2024. 

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “We are excited to see this partnership grow from strength to strength with the Green and Digital Shipping Corridor Partnership Strategy. We have embarked on evaluating the various digital solutions and zero and near-zero fuels options that could be trialled along the route between Singapore and the San Pedro Bay Port Complex. We look forward to the support of all the corridor stakeholders over the coming months to conduct trials and potentially scale them for wider adoption.”

“This Partnership Strategy document is the foundation upon which we’ll build the future of maritime shipping,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “Our success requires the resolve and dedication of the three partnering ports as well as our industry partners. Together, we will model the collaboration necessary to achieve our climate and efficiency goals.” 

“Over the last two decades, we’ve learned that collaboration between maritime industry partners is the key to making meaningful progress in reducing emissions and cleaning the air,”Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said. “This trans-Pacific green shipping corridor takes this concept global. The strategies we develop here can be used as a roadmap by a larger network of seaports and supply chain companies to invest in programs, technologies, software and infrastructure to decarbonize international trade everywhere.”

C40 Executive Director Mark Watts, said: “C40 is proud to support our port partners in delivering this Partnership Strategy. The advancement of this Green and Digital Shipping Corridor brings the shipping sector one step closer to a 1.5°C-aligned trajectory. Green shipping is only achievable through collaboration because no one stakeholder can afford to move unless they know others are likely to follow. That’s where C40 is delighted to help, bringing our network of world-leading cities, which include most of the world’s largest and most forward-looking ports.”

Note: The Partnership Strategy document can be viewed here. 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 7 December, 2023

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Alternative Fuels

Singapore-Brazil green shipping corridor to support alternative bunker fuel supply chains

Both inked a MOU to establish the Singapore-Brazil GDSC, bringing together their complementary strengths to support the development of alternative marine fuel supply chains.
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August 31, 2026

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Singapore and Brazil have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the Singapore-Brazil Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC), according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (28 August). 

The MOU was signed by Singapore’s Minister for Transport, Mr Jeffrey Siow, and Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Mr Tomé Franca.

MPA said the partnership will strengthen cooperation between Singapore and Brazil on maritime decarbonisation and digitalisation, and support more sustainable and efficient international shipping.

Brazil has significant renewable energy resources and production capabilities that could support the production of zero- and near-zero greenhouse gas emission marine fuels, while Singapore is the world’s largest bunkering port and a leading global hub port with a vibrant innovation ecosystem. 

“The GDSC will bring together these complementary strengths to support the development of alternative marine fuel supply chains,” MPA added. 

Under the MOU, Singapore and Brazil will also explore digital information exchanges to improve maritime and port operations. The two countries will work with industry to advance the research, development and adoption of emerging maritime technologies and solutions.

 

Photo credit: Swapnil Bapat on Unsplash
Published: 31 August, 2026

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Shipping Corridor

South Korea moves to establish green shipping corridors with new legislation

MOF has proposed implementing regulations for its Green Shipping Corridor Support Act and will open a public consultation on draft enforcement regulations for the legislation from 2 September to 13 October.

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August 31, 2026

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South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) on Wednesday (26 August) has proposed implementing regulations for its Green Shipping Corridor Support Act, as the country steps up efforts to accelerate maritime decarbonisation and expand the use of low- and zero-carbon fuels.

The ministry said it would open a public consultation on draft enforcement regulations for the legislation from 2 September to 13 October 2026. The Green Shipping Corridor Support Act is scheduled to enter into force on 1 April 2027.

Green shipping corridors are intended to enable carbon-free transportation between ports by using low- and zero-carbon fuels and environmentally friendly technologies throughout the logistics and shipping process.

South Korea enacted the Green Shipping Corridor Support Act as the world’s first dedicated legislation to support the development of green shipping corridors.

The proposed enforcement decree and regulations will establish detailed criteria and procedures covering matters delegated under the Act, including the marine fuels to be used by green vessels operating on designated corridors, requirements for environmentally friendly ports capable of supplying those fuels, development of basic plans, and the designation and public notification of green shipping corridors.

In parallel, the MOF and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) are implementing the Second Basic Plan for the Development and Distribution of Eco-Friendly Ships (2026–2035), which was jointly developed to reflect rapidly changing technology and policy conditions in South Korea and overseas.

The plan is built around five strategic priorities: research and development of future ships capable of reducing carbon emissions; commercialisation of new technologies; expansion of environmentally friendly marine-fuel supply infrastructure; deployment of eco-friendly vessels; and development of a green shipping and shipbuilding ecosystem.

Under the plan, the government aims to support the conversion of 889 private and public-sector vessels to more environmentally friendly ships by 2035.

The government also plans to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized shipbuilders and marine equipment manufacturers, which it said remain relatively disadvantaged compared with major shipyards. Support will focus on areas including eco-friendly ship design and the demonstration of green marine equipment and technologies.

South Korea also intends to strengthen strategic links between the shipbuilding and shipping sectors to encourage the domestic construction of eco-friendly vessels.

The MOF said it would use the new legislation and the second basic plan as the foundation for building a maritime decarbonisation ecosystem and supporting South Korean companies in competing for a leading position in global markets.

 

Photo credit: Lauren Seo on Unsplash
Published: 31 August, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Germany launches EUR 70 million funding programme for green inland shipping corridors

Eligible projects include the installation of zero- or low-emission propulsion systems on newbuild and existing cargo vessels, as well as investments in port infrastructure for alternative fuels.
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3 weeks ago

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August 18, 2026

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Maxime Vandenberge on Unsplash

Germany’s Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV) recently opened the first funding call under its new programme for green inland navigation, with up to EUR 70 million (USD 81 million) available for projects to develop green inland shipping corridors.

The funding will support the deployment of zero- and low-emission inland vessels and the development of associated infrastructure. 

Eligible projects include the installation of zero- or low-emission propulsion systems on newbuild and existing cargo vessels, as well as investments in port infrastructure for alternative fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia and methanol.

Funding will also cover facilities for producing renewable electricity and renewable hydrogen, along with storage systems. Infrastructure at transhipment and berthing facilities outside ports, including charging, refuelling and mobile supply equipment, is also eligible.

Companies, municipalities and other economically active organisations based in Germany can apply under the first funding call, which focuses exclusively on establishing green inland shipping corridors. Applications opened on 17 August through the German government’s easy-Online funding portal.

The initiative is also intended to encourage a greater shift of freight and passenger transport to inland waterways, while supporting Germany’s climate targets, European alternative-fuels infrastructure requirements and the long-term competitiveness of the country’s inland shipping sector.

 

Photo credit: Maxime Vandenberge on Unsplash
Published: 18 August, 2026

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