29 June 2017: The Global Industry Alliance to support Low Carbon Shipping (GIA) was launched during the first meeting of the Intersessional Working Group (IWG) on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships, held under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It brings together major partners of the international shipping industry to support the “transition of global shipping to a low carbon future.”

The 13 founding companies of the GIA committed to collaborate in addressing barriers to the adoption of energy efficiency measures and technologies to reduce GHG emissions from shipping. The partnership includes shipowners and operators, classification societies, engine and technology suppliers, big data providers and oil companies.

Under the auspices of the Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships (GloMEEP), GIA members will work together to: support research and development; showcase advances in technology development and positive initiatives by the maritime sector; organize industry fora to encourage a global industry dialogue; and support capacity building and information exchange activities.

The IWG meeting also discussed next steps regarding the Roadmap for a comprehensive IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships.

Speaking at the GIA launch event, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim underlined that the partnership will enable the shipping industry to contribute to “GHG reductions and the mitigation of climate change, a key target for the United Nations under its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

The IWG meeting also discussed next steps regarding the Roadmap for a comprehensive IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships. It will provide a report to the 71st session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, scheduled to take place from 3-7 July 2017 at IMO headquarters in London, UK.

In related IMO News, the Conference of the Caribbean Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC-Caribbean) held its inaugural meeting from 27-28 June 2017, in Trinidad and Tobago. The meeting brought together senior maritime administrators, legal officers and technical specialists from 12 Caribbean States, to discuss the mandate of MTCC-Caribbean for climate change mitigation, the role of national maritime administrators, and ratification and implementation of IMO regulations for preventing air pollution from ships (via the MARPOL Annex VI treaty) in the region.

MTCC-Caribbean is one of five regional MTCCs that make up the Global MTCC Network, a project funded by the European Union (EU). The MTCCs for Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Pacific will hold their launch events from September-December 2017. [IMO Press Briefing, 29 June] [IMO News Release] [GMN Website]