Today, The Global Maritime Forum (GMF) and Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping signed a Partnership Agreement as a formal recognition of their joint working and commitment to a long-term collaboration around their shared mission to decarbonize the global maritime industry.

As a Knowledge Partner GMF will contribute to the Center work with in-kind resources such as extensive knowledge sharing, sparring and network activities. The partnership will also provide opportunity to collaborate and coordinate activities across the two organizations to maximise outcome and leverage each other’s strengths. The Global Maritime Forum and the Center are already working as complementary partners on several global initiatives and the partnership will provide continued opportunity to do so.

In welcoming the Global Maritime Forum to the Center, CEO Bo Cerup-Simonsen says:

“Decarbonizing shipping is a daunting task, and we have no time to lose. Teaming up with the Global Maritime Forum as a Knowledge Partner to the Center is a privilege and an opportunity for us to make sure we leverage resources effectively and accelerate this transition together.

“Our respective activities have the same objective but are different in nature, so we complement each other well. Through this partnership we can leverage our individual strengths, learn from each other, and effectively help accelerate the transition towards a decarbonized maritime industry. We look very much forward to the collaboration.”

Johannah Christensen, CEO of Global Maritime Forum says:

“For international shipping to decarbonize in line with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees it will require urgent action involving all stakeholders across the maritime value chain. We look forward to working with the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, bringing the Global Maritime Forum’s deep experience in collaborative action and our complementary skills to bear on our shared objective. We have no time to lose.”

Shipping’s road map to decarbonization

With 100.000 ships consuming around m300Tons fuel p.a. global shipping accounts for around 3% of global carbon emissions, a share that is likely to increase as other industries tackle climate emissions in the coming decades.

Achieving the long-term target of decarbonization requires new fuel types and a systemic change within the industry. Shipping is a globally regulated industry, which provides an opportunity to secure broad-based industry adoption of new technology and fuels.

To accelerate the development of viable technologies a coordinated effort within applied research is needed across the entire supply chain. Industry leaders play a critical role in ensuring that laboratory research is successfully matured to scalable solutions matching the needs of industry. At the same time, new legislation will be required to enable the transition towards decarbonization.

About Global Maritime Forum

The Global Maritime Forum is an international not-for-profit organization committed to shaping the future of global seaborne trade to increase sustainable long-term economic development and human wellbeing. The Forum was founded in 2017 on the idea that progress happens when people from all parts of the system – in this case the global maritime industry and its stakeholders who have the will and the influence to make positive change – come together to discuss challenges and work together on finding new solutions. The
Global Maritime Forum is supported by a visionary group of leading industry partners who share the Forum’s ambition of creating a common platform to drive positive change that benefits not only their organizations and the industry, but society as a whole. For more information go to www.globalmaritimeforum.org

About the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping

The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping is a not-for-profit, independent research- and development center working with industry players across the energy- and shipping sectors to mature viable decarbonization pathways for shipping globally. With Partners, the Center facilitates the development and implementation of new energy and maritime technologies and accelerates the transition by defining strategic ways to drive the required systemic and regulatory change. The Center is Copenhagen-based and has a partner base of global companies across the maritime eco system.

The Center was founded in 2020, with a start-up donation of DKK 400m by the A.P. Møller Foundation. Corporate Partners to the Center include: Alfa Laval, American Bureau of Shipping, A.P. Moller - Maersk, bp, Cargill, Haldor Topsoe, MAN Energy Solutions, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsui, NORDEN, NYK Line, Seaspan Corporation, Siemens Energy, Stolt Tankers, Sumitomo Corporation, Swire Group, TotalEnergies and V.Group.