One year after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a green and digital shipping corridor (GDSC), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach have completed a comprehensive baselining study.
It forecasts more green jobs, health improvements for local communities and economic benefits for participating countries, emphasising the future demand for zero and near-zero emission fuels and the benefits of decarbonising the shipping routes between the nations.
The study, commissioned by C40 and the ports, and conducted by the American Bureau of Shipping, analysed maritime trade flows between Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach, and provided a baseline of activities and energy demand requirements for vessels operating on the corridor through to 2050. The conclusion of the study follows the successful unveiling of the corridor’s Partnership Strategy at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28/CMP18/CMA5) in December 2023, which outlined the corridor’s goals, partnership structure and governance mechanism. The study estimates the quantity of near-zero and zero-emission fuels required for this traffic by modelling the adoption of zero and near-zero carbon alternative fuels by vessels operating on the corridor through to 2050, considering various parameters such as fuel production costs and fuel availability, and in view of the targets in the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships.
On a practical level, the study highlights the potential socio-economic impact of transitioning to zero and near-zero emission fuels and leveraging on digital solutions. Based on the study’s estimates, the corridor at full implementation could create over 700 new job opportunities in zero and near-zero emission fuel production and improve local air quality. These estimates support findings by C40 and other organisations that activities undertaken through green shipping corridors can catalyse wider decarbonisation across the maritime industry and unlock health benefits for local communities and green economy opportunities for participating countries.
All three ports will participate in the Accelerating Digitalisation and Decarbonisation Conference organised by MPA as part of SMW (Singapore Maritime Week) 2024 and in a moderated discussion convened by C40 on the sidelines of SMW 2024 entitled ‘Navigating Collaboration: Governance of Green Shipping Corridor Partnerships’, where C40 will unveil its new report and share insights into best practices for GDSC effective governance.
Mr Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, said: “Shipping is a new pillar in the multifaceted partnership with the US. The GDSC with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach highlights the importance of working with industry, researchers, government and society through innovation and capacity building. With traffic along the GDSC accounting for 7% of the world’s container trade, the initiatives by GDSC partners and stakeholders will help generate growth and new opportunities for maritime professionals.”
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, said: “This study provides a sense of scale and scope to inform our implementation of the green and digital shipping corridor. Achieving the reductions of greenhouse gas emissions required will take coordination and commitment from public and private stakeholders across the maritime and goods movement industries. We’re proud to be collaborating with industry partners to make this corridor a reality.”
“The Port of Long Beach and its partners have been very successful reducing emissions from cargo-handling equipment, trucks and other mobile sources moving cargo in our harbour,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “One of the most important parts of this partnership is it allows us to better understand and target a source of emissions that is hard for us to control as a local seaport authority – shipborne emissions. This work, vital to our net zero-emission quest, will result in economic and health benefits all along the trans-Pacific trade corridor.”
C40 Executive Director, Mark Watts said: “Accelerating efforts to decarbonise the shipping sector is urgent if we are to limit global heating to 1.5°C. C40 is proud to support this first-mover initiative which has the potential not only to support the development and uptake of low- and zero-carbon fuels and vessels, but also create good green jobs and health benefits for local communities by doing so.”
Download the full press release to learn more.
Access the baselining study
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FAQs
A green and digital shipping corridor (GDSC) between Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach could create more than 700 job opportunities in zero- and near-zero emission fuel production by 2030, a new study finds.
What are the benefits of green shipping corridors? ›
These include crucial environmental benefits such as increased biodiversity and a cleaner marine environment, as well as economic savings from reduced running costs and shorter anchorage times.
What is a green shipping corridor? ›
A green shipping corridor is a route from one port to another where carbon-neutral ships start using carbon-neutral fuels (well-to-wake) earlier than required by existing rules and incentives.
What is the capacity of Singapore port? ›
With large volume increases, older berths being decanted at Keppel Terminal are reactivated, increasing PSA's weekly container handling capacity from 770,000 TEUs to 820,000 TEUs, Teo added.
What are Scope 1 emissions in Singapore? ›
Scope 1 emissions refer to direct greenhouse-gas emissions which are released through activity at a facility level, while Scope 2 emissions refer to those released at the power station for the generation of electricity that a company consumes.
What are the benefits of green corridor? ›
Increased biodiversity by having more green areas in the urban environment. Promotion of non-polluting mobility: bicycles or scooters, for example. Reduced air pollution and noise pollution in the city. Helping prevent heat islands from forming, effectively lowering the temperature.
What is the disadvantage of green shipping? ›
High initial costs: Implementing sustainable technologies and practices can be costly, especially for small and medium-sized companies. Logistics complexity: Integrating these eco-logistics processes may require significant changes in the supply chain and logistics process.
What is the green corridor theory? ›
A green corridor is a narrow strip of urban land designed with varied vegetation and different species of trees. Its purpose is to act as an extension of natural areas and connect green spaces in a city that would otherwise remain isolated.
What is the green corridor Program? ›
The Green Shipping Corridor Program (GSCP) provides funding for projects that contribute to the establishment of green shipping corridors and the decarbonization of the marine sector along the Great Lakes, the St.
What is the green corridor procedure? ›
The entire process takes place in three steps. The first step is harvesting the organ from the donor, the second step is interinstitutional transportation, and the final step is transplantation surgery. All the steps must be completed in the shortest possible time.
This policy, coupled with Singapore's strategic geographical location – lying on the sea route between India and China and thus easily accessible to ships and junks from around the region and afar – and natural deep-water harbour, attracted numerous vessels to call at its port.
Why is Singapore known as a free port? ›
“The Port of Singapore is a free port, and the trade thereof is open to ships and vessels of every nation, equally and alike to all.” So wrote British colonial agent Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819 after he established by treaty the port of Singapore, having purchased the island from a local sultan.
Where is the biggest port in the world? ›
Shanghai Port is an international seaport near the Yangtze River east of the People's Republic of China. It is the world's largest and busiest port regarding container volume and traffic.
What is Taylor Swift's carbon footprint? ›
Swift's total flight emissions for 2022 amount to 8,293 tonnes, which is over 1,100 times higher than the average person's entire annual emissions. Jet flying against the background of a green forest.
What is the main cause of carbon emissions in Singapore? ›
Power generation is one of the major sources of Singapore's carbon emissions and accounts for about 40% of our emissions today. With our limited capacity to tap on alternative energy sources, we currently rely heavily on imported natural gas to power our nation.
What are scopes in ESG? ›
Scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources. Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the purchase and use of electricity, steam, heating and cooling. By using the energy, an organisation is indirectly responsible for the release of these GHG emissions.
What are the benefits of transportation corridors? ›
Advantages of transport corridors:
- Connectivity Transport corridors improve connectivity between regions and countries, enabling easier, seamless movement of goods, people, and services. ...
- Trade Transport corridors promote international trade by providing efficient transportation routes for the movement of goods.
A green corridor is a narrow strip of urban land designed with varied vegetation and different species of trees. Its purpose is to act as an extension of natural areas and connect green spaces in a city that would otherwise remain isolated.
What are the benefits and advantages of green infrastructure? ›
Green infrastructure reduces and treats stormwater at its source while delivering other environmental, social, and economic benefits. Introducing green infrastructure to supplement the existing gray infrastructure can promote urban livability and add to communities' bottom line.
