IMO-backed industry alliance seeks to lower carbon emissions

A group of 13 companies have joined forces with the International Maritime Organization as part of the Global Industry Alliance to reduce carbon output in maritime transportation.

   A group of 13 shipowners and operators, classification societies, engine builders and suppliers, information technology firms, and oil companies have joined forces with the International Maritime Organization in a global effort to reduce carbon output in maritime transport.
   The Global Industry Alliance (GIA), which is part of the IMO’s GloMEEP Project, aims to support developing countries with implementing energy efficiency measures in shipping.
   GIA members will work together to identify and develop innovate measures and promote the implementation of new energy efficiency marine technologies, as well as operational measures, such as best practices, alternative fuels, and IT. 
   The GIA’s launch was held at the margins of the first meeting of the IMO Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG emissions from ships on Thursday.
   “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,” said IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim.
   One of those companies to join the GIA is container-shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Co. 
   “As a leading international company, it is our responsibility to take an active role in the international policy dialogue and further strengthen our collaboration with the IMO and its stakeholders,” said Diego Aponte, MSC’s president and CEO, in a statement.
  “Our group strategy focuses on the continuous improvement of our environmental performance,” he said. “We firmly believe that this initiative led by the IMO can make a tangible impact on the long-term sustainability performance of our industry.”
   The other founding GIA members include ABB Engineering (Shanghai) Ltd., DNV GL, Lloyd’s Register EMEA, MarineTraffic, Ricardo UK Ltd., Royal Caribbean Cruises, Shell International Trading and Shipping Co. Ltd., Silverstream Technologies, Stena AB, Total Marine Fuels, Wärtsilä Corp., and Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd.