The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub have entered into a MoU with the aim of collaborating on a fleet-specific decarbonisation strategy and implementation plan for ‘The Silk Alliance’ initiative. The collaboration seeks to facilitate ‘zero-emission’ shipping across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
By leveraging their respective technical skills and expertise, both parties intend to strengthen their commitment to developing partnerships and co-creating a green corridor to trial decarbonisation strategies for container ships primarily operating in Asia. The goal is to achieve significant emission reduction impact.
MPA’s involvement in The Silk Alliance initiative marks a significant step towards deeper collaboration between the global maritime industry players and Singapore’s port regulator. The focus is on unlocking key investments across the Indian and Pacific Oceans region as the green corridor cluster moves into the implementation phase.
The collaboration includes driving investments into scalable fuel supply infrastructure to meet the demand aggregation signal from members of The Silk Alliance and potential regional bunkering demands for alternative fuels.
MPA’s contribution to The Silk Alliance, based on the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub’s “First Mover Framework,” aligns with efforts to establish the supply of low- and zero-carbon fuel options. Additionally, MPA is collaborating with other partners to develop Green and Digital Shipping Corridors.
Nick Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Lloyd’s Register, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the MPA to the expanding ‘The Silk Alliance’ cross-industry collaboration. Flag and port authorities play a crucial role in increasing the industry’s confidence in zero-emissions shipping, and as the world’s largest bunkering hub, we see Singapore and the MPA as a driving force in advancing the safe uptake of low-to-zero emissions fuel in the global shipping industry.”
Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “MPA is pleased to be part of The Silk Alliance to accelerate the decarbonisation of container trade. The Silk Alliance will enable key stakeholders in Singapore to chart the transition towards low- and zero-carbon options. As the world’s largest transhipment container port and bunkering hub, Singapore will take active steps to support the decarbonisation of the container trade in line with IMO’s Revised Strategy to reduce emissions from shipping.”
The Silk Alliance comprises 12 leading cross-supply chain stakeholders from both the private and public sectors. The alliance brings together organizations across the entire value chain of shipping. Inaugural members include port operator PSA, shipowners MSC Shipmanagement Ltd., Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd (PIL), Wan Hai Lines, X-Press Feeders, and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. Other members include shipyard Seatrium, bunker logistical supplier Singfar International, engine manufacturer Wärtsilä, ship manager Wilhelmsen Ship Management, and financial institutions Asian Development Bank and ING.
