China Classification Society (CCS) is partnering with major marine companies to launch the Sustainable Shipping Innovation and Development Initiative (SSIDI)
CCS launched SSIDI, the new initiative that will explore and research alternative fuels, in Beijing with representatives of China Petrochemical Corp, COSCO Shipping, China Merchants Energy Shipping and ICBC Financial Leasing.
SSIDI’s extensive and indepth research work will focus on the economy, safety, technology maturity, policies and regulations, fuel availability, market mechanism and other aspects of alternative fuels for shipping.
CCS vice president Fan Quang said, “With accelerated policy making and developments to reduce shipping emissions led by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), European Union and other global organisations, the industrywide consensus is to promote the application of alternative fuels in shipping. This will lead to significant changes in the entire international shipping industry, and it will have a profound impact on all upstream and downstream industries.”
“However, it is important to recognise that amid this drive to alternative fuels there are still many uncertain factors that must be addressed. These include fuel supply, ship financing, technology development and standard formulation. These are far beyond the scope of traditional shipping and require joint exploration by all parties across the entire industry chain.
“It is for this reason CCS has launched the SSIDI with interested parties in energy, shipping, finance and other sections of the marine sector. We are looking to build a strong co-operative research platform that will conduct extensive and indepth research into sustainable shipping innovation and development.”
The SSIDI will work together to promote clean energy safety and look at how a sustainable shipping innovation and development industry chain can be developed. The initiative will also strengthen members’ strategic co-operation on climate change.
A new study by UMAS notes that while the shipping industry is taking steps towards scaling zero-emissions fuels, more must be done. And there are several new alternative fuel initiatives: The governments of Canada and the UAE have signed up to a new fuel initiative spearheaded by the maritime industry and at COP27, Britain and the United States have agreed to launch a joint Green Shipping Corridor Task Force to focus on research and development.
At the end of this month, marine industry professionals will meet to discuss operational, technical and financial challenges posed by new fuels and lubricants, new engine technology, carbon capture, scrubbers and digitalisation at the Maritime Decarbonisation Conference, Asia in Singapore on 29-30 November 2022.
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