A new concept for a collaborative global ecosystem of maritime transport decarbonization initiatives has been introduced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Singapore, during a global webinar on decarbonization on 17 Sep.

The NextGEN initiative aims to facilitate information sharing on decarbonization initiatives across many stakeholders (including IMO Member States, NGOs, industry and academia); identify opportunities and gaps for decarbonization in the global shipping community; and create important networks and platforms for collaboration across these initiatives. This network initiative has been named NextGEN, where GEN is short for “Green and Efficient Navigation”.

During the webinar, IMO Secretary-General Mr Kitack Lim recognized the unprecedented times in which we are living and expressed his belief that “the single biggest challenge we are still facing is the battle against global warming and climate change”. He called for more action to speed up research into zero carbon marine fuels.

“To achieve this, IMO is stepping up its efforts to act as a global forum and promoter in R&D in zero carbon marine fuels, bringing together interested stakeholders from public and private sectors, and also private and development banks and other potential donors around the world,” Secretary-General Lim said. 

The Minister for Transport, Singapore, Ong Ye Kung, said the world needed to keep up the fight against climate change, even while dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.

“No one can do this alone. It is a global ambition, to be accomplished by the international maritime community. But we all have capabilities, expertise, and resources to contribute to this endeavor. Singapore will do our part, and we look forward to the maritime community coming together, under the leadership of the IMO, to redouble our efforts and build a better, greener world.”