The Sustainable Shipping Initiative joins as Knowledge Partner

SSI is a multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together leading and likeminded organizations across the maritime ecosystem to advance environmental, social and socio-economic sustainability in the shipping industry.

Through this partnership, the two organizations will share knowledge and best practice to accelerate the transition towards zero carbon shipping sustainably, by ensuring that pathways to zero emissions (from alternative fuels to improving energy efficiency) consider sustainability implications beyond CO2. Among other things, SSI and the Center will jointly work on developing standards for life cycle analysis (LCA) of alternative fuels, which is a key element in the transition.

In welcoming the SSI to the Center, CEO Bo Cerup-Simonsen said:

“We are on the same mission, and we can increase our common impact through collaboration. The SSI has a proven track record in driving change through cross-sectoral collaboration, and by combining our strengths, knowledge and determination to accelerate the transition, we can be even more effective in driving real change in the maritime industry.”

In joining the Center, Andrew Stephens, Executive Director of the SSI, said:

“Decarbonizing shipping sustainably requires addressing many interlinked challenges – from land-based fuel supply chains to the materials used for shipbuilding, to route optimization that helps address externalities like poor air quality in ports. These issues can only be tackled effectively through partnering and collaborating with others, and we at the Sustainable Shipping Initiative look forward to working with the Center and its community of members and stakeholders in the pursuit of zero carbon shipping by 2050.”

Shipping’s roadmap to decarbonization

With 100.000 ships consuming around 300 million metric tons of 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 the Sustainable Shipping Initiative

The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) is a multi-stakeholder collective catalysing change in this crucial decade of action by bringing together ambitious leaders across the maritime ecosystem to take action for a more sustainable shipping industry.

Since 2010, SSI and its members have been working on advancing environmental, social and socio-economic sustainability across the shipping sector. SSI’s 16 members include shipowners, operators and managers; cargo owners; classification societies; environmental and social non-profits; and service providers.

www.sustainableshipping.org | @SustShipping

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 across the energy- and shipping sectors with industry, academia, and authorities. With Partners, the Center explores viable decarbonization pathways, facilitates the development and implementation of new energy technologies; builds confidence in new concepts and their supply chains; and accelerates the transition by defining and maturing viable strategic pathways to the required systemic change. The Center is placed in Copenhagen but work with partners globally.

The Center was founded in 2020 with a start-up donation of DKK 400 million from the A.P. Moller Foundation. Strategic Partners to the Center include: Alfa Laval, American Bureau of Shipping, A.P. Moller - Maersk, bp, Cargill, CF Industries, Equinor, DP World, Hapag-Lloyd, MAN Energy Solutions, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsui, NORDEN, NYK Line, Rio Tinto, Royal Caribbean Group, Seaspan Corporation, Siemens Energy, Stolt Tankers, Sumitomo Corporation, Swire Group, Topsoe, TotalEnergies and V.Group.

For more information, please visit www.zerocarbonshipping.com