To explore the challenges and opportunities that lie within the green transition of the shipping sector, the Philippines’ Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Denmark’s Danish Maritime Authority (DMA), supported by the International Maritime Organization – IMO, jointly organized a two-day regional conference entitled “Seizing Opportunities for Green Shipping in Asia and the Pacific,” on 16-17 May 2023.
The Regional Conference gathered key maritime experts from the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asian States including ASEAN Member States for a two-day conference to discuss emission reduction and energy efficiency measures in shipping operations. It also aimed to discuss regional perspectives and priorities in the current negotiations of the IMO strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships and its regulatory framework.
Distinguished guests who attended the event include Secretary-General of the IMO, His Excellency Kitack Lim; Ambassador of Denmark to the Philippines, His Excellency Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin; the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Honorable Reinier Yebra; and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Honorable Jesus Gary Domingo.
IMO Secretary-General Lim expressed that maritime transport continues to be the most economical and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation for larger volumes of cargo. As the global regulator for shipping, IMO continues to ensure that the maritime sector delivers cargo safely, securely, and sustainably around the world with continuous improvements in efficiency.
“The energy transition in shipping can also enable the shipping sector to reconnect with and attract the next generation of maritime personnel and seafarers in all regions of the world, many of whose careers will feature the renewable energy generation and energy efficiency technology that will be vital for shipping’s future. We must rise to this challenge and create a workforce to operate the green and digital ships of the future safely and securely,” Secretary-General Lim pointed out.
For his part, Denmark Ambassador Mellbin emphasized that global challenges need global solutions, and this conference is exactly an opportunity to have a dialogue on the possibilities, solutions, but also challenges that the countries were collectively facing.
“Denmark is a great believer in dialogue. And we see this as an opportunity to have a strong dialogue amongst everyone who will be affected by those enormous changes that will be facing the shipping industry over the next decades,” Ambassador Mellbin said.
“By working together, we would be able to achieve the joint goals that are needed to make sure that the shipping industry delivers its part of solving the climate crisis and meet the climate obligations that we have all signed up to, in Paris and elsewhere,” he added.
MARINA Administrator Atty. Hernani N. Fabia said that in this conducted regional conference, all nations seek to forge a path forward that embraces ambitious yet practical strategies for greening our shipping industry.
“Our objective is clear – to mitigate climate change, safeguard our oceans, and protect the livelihoods of seafarers. Through just and equitable transitions, we aim to address their concerns, ensuring that the benefits of our actions are shared by all. Together, let us chart a course towards a sustainable and prosperous future, where green shipping becomes the norm and the well-being of our planet and its people is safeguarded for generations to come,” Administrator Fabia highlighted.
The two-day regional conference covered a wide range of topics related to sustainable practices in the maritime industry.
During the first day, attendees discussed the IMO Regulatory Framework and the role of green ports in energy efficiency and technology development. Green shipping opportunities were also a key topic, including the development of green corridors, the creation of green jobs, and the skill development of seafarers, as well as tapping into a green economy and the value chain of future fuels.
On the last day of the conference, attendees were treated to presentations on maritime solutions and explored how to realize opportunities for green infrastructure. The global pathway towards the green transition of the shipping sector was also discussed, including the role of government in driving the green transition.
An interactive session was also conducted to discuss the path to green shipping. Foreign participants were grouped to address key questions regarding the challenges and opportunities of the green transition in the shipping industry; the role of governments, private sectors, and the IMO in accelerating the green transition; the concept of “just and equitable transition” and its essential elements for successful implementation.
Climate Change Commission (CCC) Secretary Robert Borje delivered his closing remarks, highlighting the importance of this conference to the issue of climate change, as well as to the country’s strategic interests in the sustainable development agenda.
With this regional conference, both Administrations, in collaboration with other countries that have actively participated, shared knowledge from different regional experiences where concrete steps have been taken towards the green transition of the shipping sector.
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