Nations agree to develop international green shipping corridors

Agreed at COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the green shipping corridors will be specific maritime routes decarbonised from end to end, including land-side infrastructure and vessels.

Setting up routes will involve using zero-emission fuel or energy, installing refuelling or recharging infrastructure at ports, and deploying zero-emission capable vessels to demonstrate more environmentally-friendly shipping. 

The UK and the US are also launching a Green Shipping Corridor Task Force focussed on bringing together sector experts, encouraging research and development, and driving work and projects to see these initiatives realised more quickly.

Committing to roll out green shipping corridors will help the sector to comply with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C by the end of the century, and follows the UK-led Clydebank Declaration at COP26, a global initiative to provide a framework for governments to establish zero-emission shipping routes between ports.  

In a statement, transport secretary Mark Harper said: “The challenges posed by climate change are clear and the need to decarbonise maritime has never been greater. 

“That’s why we’ve committed to work alongside global partners to clean up the sector, improve air quality in and around our ports and coastal communities, and drive green investment into our economy. 

“But we must not lose momentum. I’m delighted to say the UK has agreed to begin developing green shipping routes with some of our closest allies, as we work together to realise the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming.”

The international maritime sector is currently responsible for nearly three per cent of global emissions.

Ben Murray, CEO of Maritime UK, said: “Green shipping corridors have the potential to catalyse decarbonisation in the maritime sector by focusing on specific maritime routes.

“Not only can they help to identify and action the solutions needed for a given corridor by aligning vessels with infrastructure, but they can also demonstrate the UK’s leadership and pitch to the rest of the world as we all seek to accelerate our progress toward net zero. Be that finance, professional services, technology, or manufacturing.

“Maritime UK and its members are committed to developing green corridors and look forward to working closely with partners from the US, Norway, and the Netherlands to make them a reality.”

According to the UK’s Department for Transport, Britain is playing a leading role in climate negotiations at the International Maritime Organization, working with its partners to raise global decarbonisation ambitions. The government also recently launched a £60m clean maritime demonstration competition on World Maritime Day, so tankers, cruise ships, ports and the wider maritime sector can contribute to cutting emissions and boosting economic growth.