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

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

​International container transportation and logistics company Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) on Friday (28 August) held the naming ceremony for OOCL Grace, the company’s second methanol dual-fuel container vessel.

The naming ceremony was held at the shipyard of Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co Ltd (NACKS). Annetta Duan, Global Logistics Director of Hayco Group, named OOCL Grace and bestowed her blessings upon the vessel in the presence of many guests.

OOCL Grace is the second of seven 24,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container vessels built by NACKS for OOCL. 

From the successful naming of the series’ first vessel, OOCL Wisdom, in May this year, to OOCL Wisdom completing its first green methanol bunkering and commencing its maiden voyage to Europe in July, and now the official debut of OOCL Grace, this series of currently the world’s largest methanol dual-fuel vessels is being completed and deployed in succession.

At the naming ceremony, Mr. Peter Pan, Director of Trades and Member of the Executive Committee of OOCL, said: “In a complex and ever-changing market environment, OOCL remains firmly committed to advancing the expansion, greening and digitalization of our fleet. 

“With the successive delivery of OOCL Grace and her sister vessels, we will continue to optimise our capacity deployment and network configuration, providing customers with higher-quality, more stable and sustainable logistics solutions, while playing an important role in connecting industries, markets and global trade.”

Photo credit: ​​Orient Overseas Container
Published: 31 August, 2026