SHIPPING line MSC announced it is co-operating with a Chinese research institute to promote decarbonisation and sustainable shipping.
On 28 September, MSC and the China Waterborne Transport Research Institute, an agency under China’s Ministry of Transport, signed an agreement to work together.
This is the first time MSC has partnered with a major institution in China to explore the technical pathway for decarbonisation.
The three-year agreement will leverage on the strengths of both parties to explore innovative ways to jointly co-operate on relevant research and activities.
Bud Darr, executive vice president maritime policy and government affairs at MSC Group and Mr Fei Wei Jun, president of China Waterborne Transport Research Institute, signed the agreement in an online ceremony.
Mr Darr said, “The path to decarbonisation will require strong partnerships with key stakeholders across various business sectors and government.
“Sustainability and focus on climate issues have been fast-rising up the agenda in China, and we are looking forward to closely collaborating with the China Waterborne Transport Research Institute to accelerate innovation and R&D we urgently need to reach a net-zero carbon future for shipping.”
Under the MoU framework, both organisations will establish a collaborative process dedicated to R&D, knowledge sharing and business collaboration. A designated chairperson from each organisation will jointly lead the steering committee, with a working committee in charge of implementing the activities.
Industrial experts will also be invited to conduct assessments on the results of the research studies.
A number of specific studies and projects are already lined up for the near future, including studies on the technical pathway and relevant policies for low-carbon development of the Chinese shipping industry, strategy and roadmap for the energy structure of shipping.
