The Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub stated that it is working with 11 cross-supply chain stakeholders to build a fleet fuel transition strategy that would allow a highly scalable green fuel corridor cluster to be established. Very soon, the green corridor treatment will be extended to intra-Asian trading and container shipping pipelines.
The new Silk Alliance, named after the fabled Silk Road, brings together shipowners, such as Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), Pacific International Lines (PIL), Wan Hai Lines, X-Press Feeders, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp; shipyard, Keppel Offshore & Marine; bunker logistical supplier, Singfar International; engine manufacturer, Wärtsilä; shipmanager, Wilhelmsen Ship Management; and financial institutions, the Asian Development Bank and ING.
Initially, these members will together send an aggregated demand signal for other stakeholders such as fuel providers, port operators and governments to support the green corridor cluster concept.
Charles Haskell, Lloyd’s Register’s decarbonisation programme manager, said: “This is a first-of-its-kind in developing fleet transition strategies for multiple stakeholders, not just with the support of major players within the maritime industry, but also with operators in other industries that serve the maritime supply network – the shipowners, shipyard managers, financial institutions, bunker suppliers and engine manufacturers.”
Carl Schou, CEO and President of Wilhelmsen Ship Management, said: “The Silk Alliance presents an opportunity for the industry to leapfrog the progress of fuel transition.” Green corridors, which were heavily trumpeted at climate summit COP26 last year, are fast emerging around the world – and not just for container shipping with iron ore channels also being discussed.
