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

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

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) on Tuesday (30 June) said it signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shenzhen Port Group on 29 June in Shenzhen, China.

The two parties engaged in in-depth discussions on strengthening collaboration across key sectors and jointly advancing the development of green shipping corridors.

Under the agreement, both parties will leverage their respective strengths and resources to deepen collaboration focused on the development of green shipping corridors and related businesses. Through resource sharing and complementary capabilities, they will jointly develop green shipping projects to deliver replicable and scalable outcomes.

Bureau Veritas will provide professional technical support to Shenzhen Port Group and industry players at large, helping them navigate evolving maritime regulatory policies and translate emerging international rules into practical, implementable measures to align domestic and global industry standards.

Backed by its comprehensive global business footprint, BV offers end-to-end testing, inspection and certification services covering the entire green fuel industrial chain, spanning renewable energy production to bunkering infrastructure for marine fuels. It has also built extensive hands-on experience in numerous domestic green fuel projects.

Alex Gregg-Smith, President of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: Global decarbonization of the shipping industry requires concerted efforts and in-depth collaboration across the entire industrial value chain. 

“As a world-class port conglomerate, Shenzhen Port Group boasts strengths that are highly complementary to Bureau Veritas’s expertise in technical services and standard-setting. Deepening our partnership is of great significance for the green transition of the shipping sector. We hope this collaboration will serve as a catalyst to align domestic and international standards and jointly develop viable pathways for low-carbon maritime trade.”

Hu Zhaoyang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Board at Shenzhen Port Group, stated: “Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore is a globally recognized authoritative body in the maritime sector, with a wealth of decarbonization solutions and practical experience for the global shipping industry. Its vision aligns perfectly with Shenzhen Port Group’s green development strategy. 

“Building on this agreement, we will further expand all-round cooperation across relevant fields, and maximize the combined value of Shenzhen Port Group’s diverse industrial application scenarios and BV’s authoritative technical certification capabilities to achieve mutual benefit through complementary strengths.”

Photo credit: Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore
Published: 2 July, 2026