Dr Shahrin Osman, Business Development Director, DNV Maritime Advisory and co-author of the Leading Maritime Cities report, explained the central importance that decarbonization and digitalization occupy within shipping in this article published on Tuesday (23 July). 

He outlined how maritime cities are the centres of gravity driving this forward, facilitating innovation and coming up with the solutions which are needed for shipping to reach its ambitious decarbonization goals:

The Leading Maritime Cities report shines a light on the key cities driving the maritime industry forward. With decarbonization and digitalization key factors in today’s maritime world, the report’s co-author explains how these are being advanced by activities in the leading maritime cities.

The latest edition of the Leading Maritime Cities (LMC) report was published in April this year. The collaboration between DNV and Menon Economics delivers fresh insights into the maritime cities which offer the best policy measures, infrastructure and supporting institutions, and how these are driving advancements in the maritime industry.

Leading maritime cities in a world of transition

The LMC report recognizes the central importance that decarbonization and digitalization occupy within shipping. The impact of these two dimensions cuts across the traditional pillars that cities are benchmarked on. To address their transformative effect, this year’s report introduces new indicators – such as capabilities in the adoption of digital technologies and automated processes for port operations, and proactivity in implementing green and sustainable financing practices.

“The maritime industry is in the midst of a major transformation,” says Dr Shahrin Osman, Business Development Director, DNV Maritime Advisory and co-author of the report. “Decarbonization targets mean that the entire industry is looking at how it can undergo a transformation of technologies and fuels to reduce emissions, all of this being supported by advances in digitalization.”

Singapore dominates rankings with strong decarbonization efforts

“Maritime cities are the centres of gravity driving this forward. This is where the leading companies and talents are residing and where the real transformations are taking place. They provide platforms for progress and serve as conduits, linking the industry with the wider global economy.”

Like in the previous edition of this report in 2022, a combination of objective and subjective indicators are used to rank the different cities. Singapore was once again recognized as the leading maritime city, followed by Rotterdam and London, with Shanghai and Oslo making up the remainder of the top five. The Asian city-state hit the top spot in three out of the report’s five pillars, retaining its position as leader in Attractiveness and Competitiveness and overtaking Athens and Shanghai in Shipping Centres and Ports and Logistics. Much of this is due to Singapore’s strong positioning towards decarbonization.

The Silicon Valley of the maritime industry

“Driven by key bodies like the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonization, Singapore has a forward-leaning, future-ready approach. They look at things not just for the next few years, but for the next decade,” says Shahrin. “This includes policies towards building up a multi-fuel infrastructure, the electrification of harbour craft, and the promotion of green shipping corridors.”

“Overall, this has made Singapore an attractive location for shipping businesses, to the point where we now regard it as the Silicon Valley of the maritime industry.”

Government policies driving the green transition in key cities

As the example of Singapore has shown, strong, progressive government policy is one of the key factors behind the evolution of maritime cities, underpinning a forward-leading approach. This can attract companies and top talent to a city, while creating a competitive economic environment with well-developed infrastructure can encourage these actors to stay.

“This is especially relevant for decarbonization initiatives, where returns on investments take longer, and are dependent on wider infrastructure being in place,” says Shahrin. “Government support mechanisms can be crucial in facilitating innovation, so that new products and solutions can be developed.”

Shahrin points to the Norwegian Green Shipping Programme as a prime example of good government policy in action. This brings together public and private actors to overcome key decarbonization barriers, supported by funding from the Norwegian parliament.

Attraction of talent to cities key to progress

Central to the attractiveness and competitiveness of a maritime city is its ability to attract and retain top talent. The presence of research and educational institutions can help to develop talent within that location. The availability of professional opportunities and general high standards of living will encourage leading talents to relocate.

“Achieving technological progress is dependent on aggregating available knowledge that could otherwise be located in silos, and bringing it all together in clusters,” says Shahrin.

Note: DNV’s full Maritime Impact can be viewed here. 

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 24 July 2024