The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Friday (27 September) said it signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) to deepen our partnership and accelerate maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation and cybersecurity. 

According to Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, the collaboration will build upon the long-standing bilateral partnership between Singapore and Germany, as affirmed in April 2024 when it was announced that Singapore and Germany will work towards upgrading relations to a strategic partnership.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the Ministry of Transport, Dr. Amy Khor and the First Mayor of Hamburg, Dr. Peter Tschentscher. 

This includes cooperation in the maritime sector, such as in port efficiency, maritime safety, sustainability and cybersecurity. HPA, MPA and other port authorities enjoy regular dialogue on issues of common interest via MPA’s Port Authorities Roundtable initiative, HPA’s ChainPORT initiative, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and other platforms.

Through the LOI, MPA and HPA will collaborate in the following areas:

• Decarbonisation (a) Share information on the development and uptake of zero and near-zero emissions bunker fuels, including crew training and safety protocols for the handling and bunkering of such fuels; (b) Facilitate the exchange of information and knowledge for on-shore power supply;
• Digitalisation (a) Explore pilot projects to facilitate efficient port calls between the ports of Hamburg and Singapore; (b) Exchange information on port procedures and port systems involved for port clearance
• Cybersecurity (a) Facilitate the exchange of cybersecurity information including the establishment of operational links between the ports of Singapore and Port of Hamburg; (b) Provide cybersecurity training for maritime professionals and students.

In addition, following from discussions between MPA, maritime stakeholders and the Hamburg business delegation comprising representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, Hamburg Invest, Digital Hub Logistics (Digihub) that visited during Singapore Maritime Week 2024, a PIER71™-Digihub MOU was also signed between NUS Enterprise and Digihub. 

This collaboration will focus on start-up exchanges, pilot projects on innovation. 

Digihub, part of Germany’s broader Digital Hub initiative, is designed to foster digital innovations in logistics by providing a co-working space, networking opportunities and events that promote collaboration to support the growth of startups.

MPA looks forward to working with German partners and all Maritime Singapore stakeholders, to develop scalable solutions to benefit the global maritime community, in the move towards sustainable shipping.

 

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 30 September, 2024 

The Port of Long Beach on Monday (23 September) said it has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Shenzhen Port Group, Hutchison Ports YANTIAN (YANTIAN), South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) and the North American Representative Office of Shenzhen to collaborate on decarbonising ocean trade and inspire other similar efforts to build a green maritime economy around the Pacific Rim.

Representatives for the parties signed the memorandum in Shenzhen, China, on 22 September. It establishes a framework to support coordination of technical exchanges and programmes, initiate shared efforts to deploy clean technologies, promote sustainable infrastructure development within the maritime industry and promote economic development prioritising sustainability and public health.

Potential collaborations may include maritime technology demonstration projects, programmes to attract cleaner oceangoing vessels – because vessels are a key contributor to emissions associated with international trade – and information exchanges conducted through virtual meetings and regional workshops.

“One of the most important parts of strategic partnerships like this is the ability to target shipborne emissions, a source we have little power to regulate as a local port authority,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. 

“We see the potential for this agreement to make fleets cleaner sooner. The technologies and practices we develop through this agreement also have the potential to have a positive impact on the environment and economies far beyond our two ports and cities.”

“The Port of Long Beach is honoured and proud to be part of a collective effort to operate more sustainably and develop the green economy, all while protecting public health,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. 

“This type of international collaboration is critical to our shared goal of decarbonising shipping in the decades ahead.”

“Working together with our port partners, we have seen firsthand how we can accelerate the reduction of harmful emissions in nearby communities,” said South Coast AQMD Executive Officer Wayne Nastri. “The South Coast AQMD is excited to work with all our partners in this agreement to continue developing innovative strategies to reduce emissions and improve public health.”

“Building on the signing of this memorandum, we will drive initiatives in new fuel bunkering technologies, such as green methanol, and the development of zero-carbon ro-ro terminals,” said Shenzhen Port Group Chairman Zhaoyang Hu. 

“By enhancing communication and information sharing between the two ports, we aim to improve cargo transportation efficiency and establish more advanced green shipping corridors. These efforts will play a key role in achieving global Dual-Carbon Goal and fostering deeper economic and trade cooperation between China and the U.S.”

“The shipping industry is a cornerstone of global trade and economy. We recognise the importance of establishing partnerships and aligning our efforts towards common goals,” said YANTIAN Managing Director Lawrence Shum.

“Through this memorandum, we commit to collaborating on technical exchanges, knowledge sharing and project cooperation, positioning ourselves as ‘pioneers’ in the green ocean economy of the Pacific Rim.” 

The memorandum will also explore the possibility of a Sister Ports Agreement between the Port of Long Beach, the second-busiest seaport in the United States, which handled 8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2023, and YANTIAN, which is one of the world’s largest container terminals run by a single operator. 

 

Photo credit: Port of Long Beach
Published: 25 September, 2024 

China Marine Bunker (Petrochina) Co Ltd (Chimbusco) on Wednesday (18 September) said it signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement in Dalian with China Shipping & Sinopec Suppliers Co Ltd  (Sinobunker) and Liaoning Port Group. 

The three companies agreed to jointly build a Northeast Asia bunkering hub, jointly promote the construction of green ports and green shipping in Dalian Northeast Asia International Shipping Center and create a new business model for green bunker fuels.

The parties will rely on the green energy advantages of the Northeast region and the hinterland of eastern Inner Mongolia, such as the rich wind power, photovoltaic resources and biomass.

The agreement will give full play to the advantageous resources of Chimbusco and Sinobunker and the port resource advantages of Liaoning Port Group. 

The three parties are committed to jointly building a green bunker fuel supply chain for shipping and jointly establishing a strategic partnership.

Disclaimer: The above article published by Manifold Times was sourced from China’s domestic market through a local correspondent. While considerable efforts have been taken to verify its accuracy through a professional translator and processed from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty is made regarding the accuracy, completeness and reliability of any information.

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco
Published: 19 September, 2024