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Houston, Antwerp-Burges ports and partners to cooperate on green shipping corridor

Parties agreed to explore a partnership around an import-export coalition for renewable and low-carbon molecules, a green shipping corridor and exchange of best practices, knowledge and research.

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Houston, Antwerp-Burges ports and partners to cooperate on green shipping corridor

Port Houston on Saturday (9 December) said a Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Transition Cooperation was signed between three Belgian and three Houston-based partners to boost transatlantic cooperation on the green transition. 

The Center for Houston's Future, Waterstofnet, Port Houston, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Exmar, and the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition agreed to explore a win-win partnership around an import-export coalition for renewable and low-carbon molecules, a green shipping corridor and the exchange of best practices, knowledge and research.

The changing regulatory landscape and ambitious climate targets on both sides of the Atlantic provide the background for ambitious cooperation. The Greater Houston area is home to some of the biggest energy producers in the world, and the increase in the production of renewable and low-carbon energy offers perspectives for future export.

Belgium is a strategic energy hub in the heart of Europe, including for the import and transit of renewable and low-carbon molecules, with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges as a crucial gateway with extensive storage capacity and connectivity to European markets and huge off-take.

Houston and Antwerp are the biggest petrochemical clusters in the world; many Belgian and US companies are present on both sides, and the long-standing commercial maritime connection between both ports is a backbone for cooperation.

The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is a first step in solidifying such a partnership between crucial stakeholders based in countries that are strategic allies. Other stakeholders on both sides are welcome and encouraged to join as partners start working on a roadmap for implementation.

"The Center for Houston's Future, building on our recent trade mission to Germany and Poland in which we explored developing a transatlantic clean hydrogen alliance, was excited to welcome Prime Minister De Croo as he participated in a clean energy roundtable hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership," said Center CEO Brett Perlman. "The discussion highlighted opportunities for collaboration, while the MOU creates a framework for deeper engagement with our colleagues in Belgium."

"We are pleased to be a signatory to this MOU, which helps further strengthen Port Houston's mission to drive job creation and economic prosperity for our region," said Port Houston Chairman Ric Campo. 

"Our history of collaboration between Port Houston and Port of Antwerp-Brugge, and between Texas and Belgium, is a century in the making,” he added.

"This agreement is a watershed moment to expand that cooperation and continue growing both relationships and critically important energy-related trade," said Port Houston's Chief Commercial Officer John Moseley.

"Today's agreement advances our shared goals of growing prosperity through economic impact and environmental sustainability," added Port Houston, Chief Infrastructure Officer Rich Byrnes.

Blue Sky Maritime Coalition brings together more than 120 member organisations, including leadership of the green shipping corridor from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), to work on maritime decarbonisation and transportation of clean energy fuels with the other partners.

Photo credit: Port Houston
Published: 12 December, 2023

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Shipping Corridor

UK-Ireland green shipping corridor initiative receives grant funding

Green Corridor initiative, a collaboration between the ports of Dublin and Holyhead with Irish Ferries and Stena Line, has received EUR 143,621 in grant funding from International Green Corridor Fund.

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UK-Ireland green shipping corridor initiative receives grant funding

Dublin Port on Thursday (17 October) announced the Green Corridor initiative, a collaboration between the ports of Dublin and Holyhead with leading ferry operators, Irish Ferries and Stena Line, has received EUR 143,621 (USD 155,954) in grant funding from the International Green Corridor Fund towards the total project investment.

A Green Corridor initiative, aiming to establish a zero-emission shipping route between Dublin and Holyhead, has moved one step closer following a funding boost from the International Green Corridor Fund.

‘Greening the Irish Sea – The Central Corridor’ is led by ferry operators, Irish Ferries and Stena Line, and supported by Ricardo environmental consultancy in partnership with key stakeholders and is designed to explore the feasibility of a green shipping corridor between Dublin Port and the Port of Holyhead. 

The Holyhead-Dublin trade route is the busiest roll-on/roll-off routes between the UK and Ireland. In 2022, nearly 1.5 million people travelled this route, with over 6,000 sailings accounting for more than 74% of all ferry passenger movements between the two countries. 

The ports of Dublin and Holyhead serve as key economic gateways, handling a significant volume of trade, with Dublin Port handling 83% of RoRo freight and 72% of ferry volumes into Ireland. This study aims to advance the decarbonisation of this critical trade artery.

The stakeholder group, which also includes Dublin Port Company and Holyhead Port Authority, the EDF R&D team and academic partners Maynooth University, will use the funding to assess the suitability of the Holyhead-Dublin route as a green shipping corridor.

Detailed assessments of existing landside and vessel infrastructure will be conducted, accompanied by economic and environmental impact analysis.The initial focus will be on vessels operated by Irish Ferries and Stena Line and the potential for e-methanol as an alternative fuel, although the feasibility of other alternative fuels will also be considered.

Outputs will include assessments of the potential low-carbon energy pathways; a detailed exploration of the regulatory and policy measures that could support the green shipping corridor; and a business case containing project timescales, cost-benefit projections, and delivery plan.

The six-month study commences now in October 2024 and if established, the Green Shipping Corridor (GSC) between Holyhead and Dublin will be the first green route to operate between the UK and Ireland.

 

Photo credit: Stena Line
Published: 21 October 2024

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Bunker Fuel

SIBCON 2024: EnterpriseSG to launch new Singapore standard for e-BDN

EnterpriseSG, through the Singapore Standards Council, will launch a new Singapore Standard 709 Specification for Digital Bunkering Supply Chain Documentation.

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SIBCON 2024: New Singapore standard on digital bunkering to be launched

Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), through the Singapore Standards Council (SSC), will launch a new Singapore Standard (SS) 709 Specification for Digital Bunkering Supply Chain Documentation, according to Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Wednesday (9 October). 

MPA said the new standard will ensure data consistency and interoperability between digital systems and facilitate smoother transactions through trusted and verifiable digital bunkering documents. 

This comes following Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the Ministry of Transport, announcing that from 1 April 2025, all bunker suppliers will be required to provide digital bunkering services and issue electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDNs) as a default.

The move was decided following successful pilots conducted since 1 November 2023 with bunker suppliers, including the top 10 bunker players, in Singapore.

To further enhance transparency and transaction integrity in bunkering operations, MPA will also introduce a centralised e-BDN record verification facility. This enables key stakeholders to verify the e-BDN received against the information transmitted to MPA.

EnterpriseSG has also launched the revised Singapore Standard (SS) 648 Code of Practice for Bunker Mass Flow Metering to include data integrity and transmission requirements in line with this new digital standard.

In the first eight months of 2024, MPA said Singapore saw strong growth of approximately 7% in total bunker sales over the same period last year, reaching over 36 million tonnes. Biofuels and liquefied natural gas bunker sales surpassed 700,00 metric tonnes. 

To support the operationalisation of a higher mix of low-carbon alternative fuels, both EnterpriseSG and MPA are developing the Singapore standards for methanol bunkering and ammonia bunkering by 2024 and 2025 respectively. 

The standards will cover custody transfer requirements, safety procedures and crew competencies, to ensure safe bunkering operations and handling of these fuels.

MPA also announced that three major shipping lines — Hafnia, K-Line, and MOL — are in early discussions to join the Singapore - Port of Los Angeles (LA)- Port of Long Beach (LB) Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) initiative.

Each partner would be expected to spearhead a project to advance the corridor’s decarbonisation and digitalisation goals, such as the adoption of net-zero fuels, Just-in-Time route optimisation, and energy efficiency technologies such as wind-assisted ship propulsion. 

The addition of the new partners will significantly strengthen the GDSC’s capacity to drive innovation in sustainable shipping practices and accelerate the adoption of zero/near-zero emission fuels and green technologies along the corridor.

Related: SIBCON 2024: Singapore bunker suppliers must provide e-BDN from 1 April 2025
Related: Singapore: TradeGo becomes fifth whitelisted e-BDN solution provider
Related: Singapore: MoUs on digital bunkering and eBDN signed at TechWaves conference
Related: DNV FuelBoss coverage expands to include conventional bunker fuels, whitelisting by MPA in process
Related: Singapore: MPA adds ADP Clear as whitelisted solution provider for e-BDN
Related: Singapore set to become first port in the world to debut electronic bunker delivery notes
Related: MPA Chief Executive: Port of Singapore begins digital bunkering initiative today
Related: Singapore: MPA publishes guidelines for bunker suppliers in preparation of e-BDN launch
Related: ZeroNorth enables Golden Island to become Singapore’s first 100% digital bunker supplier
Related: Photo essay: e-BDN trial of “One Truth” at Singapore port
Related: Hong Lam Marine ‘fully supportive’ of e-BDN implementation for Singapore bunkering sector
Related: ONE completes e-BDN adoption trial with Shell in Port of Singapore
Related: Singapore: Golden Island switching to 100% e-BDN operations from 1 December
Related: IBIA: International Maritime Organization confirms acceptance for electronic BDNs (update)
Related: IBIA: MEPC 80 confirms acceptance for electronic bunker delivery notes
Related: IBIA: IMO sub-committee accepts use of electronic BDNs after long discussion

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 10 October, 2024

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Shipping Corridor

Singapore and Shandong ink MoU for Green and Digital Shipping Corridor

MPA and Shandong Provincial Transport Department will work with stakeholders, including maritime administrations and port operators, to promote digital and low-carbon initiatives for shipping.

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RESIZED SG bunker tanker

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the People’s Republic of China’s Shandong Provincial Transport Department signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday (9 October) to establish the Singapore – Shandong Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).

Under the MoU, MPA and the Shandong Provincial Transport Department will work with various stakeholders, including maritime administrations, port operators, maritime companies, institutes of higher learning, and shipyards, to promote digital and low-carbon initiatives for shipping. 

Focus areas include exploring collaboration in emerging technologies, training in safe handling of alternative fuels, knowledge sharing on shore power technologies, exchange of digital information to facilitate port clearances, and sharing of standards and best practices.

This MoU marks the second GDSC between Singapore and China following the Singapore – Tianjin GDSC established in 2023.

Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive, MPA, and Mr Gao Hongyan, Deputy Director, Shandong Provincial Transport Department, signed the MoU at the 25th Singapore –Shandong Business Council meeting held in Singapore. 

The signing was witnessed by the co-chairmen of the Singapore – Shandong Business Council, Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance, and Mr Zhou Naixiang, Governor of Shandong Provincial Government.

The Singapore – Shandong GDSC will tap the growing trade and shipping volumes between the two economic centres, supported by their strong research and innovation ecosystems, to drive the adoption of green and digital solutions and growth of the maritime industry between Singapore and the Bohai and Yellow Sea region.

Singapore is the world’s largest bunkering hub and busiest transshipment seaport, and Shandong is a coastal province which hosts a key cluster of ports and shipyards along China's coastline including Qingdao Port, which is among the world's busiest container ports. 

Shandong is also China’s second most populous province, after Guangdong, with approximately 101 million people. Shandong has the third largest provincial economy in China with a GDP of 9.2 trillion RMB (approximately 1.7 trillion SGD) and GDP growth of 6% in 2023.

 

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 10 October, 2024

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