The Global Industry Alliance to Support Low Carbon Shipping (GIA), a new public-private partnership in support of a low-carbon future, has been launched, with 13 international companies joining the initiative.
The GIA is an undertaking under the Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships (GloMEEP) Project, which aims to support developing countries implement energy efficiency measures for shipping.
The GloMEEP is a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Program (UNDP)-International Maritime Organization (IMO) project.
Thirteen companies, comprised of leading shipowners and operators, classification societies, engine and technology builders and suppliers, big data providers, and oil companies, have signed up to the GIA.
Together, they will identify and develop innovative solutions to address common barriers to the uptake and implementation of energy efficiency technologies and operational measures.
The GIA will focus on a number of priority areas including energy efficiency technologies and operational best practices, alternative fuels, and digitalization.
It will undertake or promote activities that include research and development; showcasing advances in technology development and positive initiatives by the maritime sector; industry fora to encourage a global industry dialogue; and implementing capacity building and information exchange activities.
The GIA was officially inaugurated June 29 at a launch ceremony held at the headquarters of the IMO.
In his launch speech, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said the new alliance would help shipping contribute to greenhouse gas reduction and climate change mitigation, a key target under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“What we are witnessing today is the formal start of a tried and tested partnership concept which has the potential to boost still further our efforts to kick-start the change that society demands and create a firm, tangible basis to transform the shipping sector for the better,” Lim said during the event.
“Under this new public-private partnership initiative, these ‘industry champions’, which come from different sectors of the industry and may have different business strategies within the same sector, are coming together to contribute to tackling the challenges of decarbonizing the shipping sector.”
The 13 founding members of the GIA are ABB Engineering (Shanghai) Ltd.; DNV GL SE; Lloyd’s Register EMEA; MarineTraffic; MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.; Ricardo UK Ltd; Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited; Silverstream Technologies; Stena AB; Total Marine Fuels Pte Ltd; Wärtsilä Corporation; and Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd.
They are supporting the overall goals of the GIA by providing their expertise and know-how in maritime fuel efficiency, as well as contributing to the GIA Fund which will fund the alliance’s activities.
Photo courtesy of IMO
