MALAYSIA is one of the countries participating in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)-Norway GreenVoyage2050 Project, which advocates for the shipping sector’s transition to decarbonisation in accordance with the IMO initial strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping.

The GreenVoyage2050 Project, launched in May 2019 by the Norwegian government and the International Maritime Organisation, aims to change the maritime industry towards a lower-carbon future. 

Through its support for the initial IMO GHG strategy, the global partnership is assisting developing countries, including small islands developing states (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs), in meeting their commitments to relevant climate change and energy efficiency goals for international shipping. 

One of the primary goals of GreenVoyage2050 is to stimulate global efforts to demonstrate and test technological solutions. The private sector will be involved by expanding the Global Industry Alliance to Support Low Carbon Shipping with new maritime collaborators. Partnerships with ongoing programmes are also sought to support the implementation of zero and low-emission shipping solutions in developing nations.

The project’s implementation was divided into four major components. Component 1 is to develop global tools to support the implementation of the initial IMO GHG strategy by first addressing the specific needs for a “enabling environment” for maritime GHG mitigation efforts, and then translating them into national maritime policies, strategies, roadmaps, and national action plans in accordance with national priorities and obligations under Marpol Annex VI, the initial IMO GHG strategy, and the Paris Agreement. 

Component 2 includes capacity building, policy development, and NAP development. GreenVoyage2050 is developing capability on two levels. At the national level, the initiative assists Partnering Countries in developing the human and technical capacity needed to achieve the energy efficiency standards of Marpol Annex VI and the initial IMO GHG strategy. 

This component raises awareness and capacity in the collaborating nations to ratify, implement, and enforce Marpol Annex VI, operationalise, and create energy saving measures. Capacity building at the global level refers to specialised technical cooperation initiatives on themes such as alternative fuels, addressing emissions at the ship-port interface, producing national action plans, and identifying, developing, and implementing pilot projects. 

Component 3 encourages the creation of strategic alliances to connect with relevant initiatives and organisations and form partnerships to guarantee the effective implementation of the project’s goals and objectives. Partnerships with industry (through the established Global Industry Alliance to help Low Carbon Shipping) and other strategic partners who can share experience and contribute knowledge and resources to the initiative are included. 

Technology cooperation, innovation, and pilot demonstrations are the focus of component 4. It assists various cooperating countries in identifying prospective pilot project opportunities to minimise emissions from shipping, which could involve testing new technologies, innovative operational practices, and fuels. The project is assisting these countries in developing the pilot project and gaining access to finance for implementation.

Malaysia plays a prominent role in international initiatives by actively participating in the IMO-Norway GreenVoyage2050 projects, which have the objective to mitigate emissions from maritime transportation. The implementation of various initiatives, such as the utilisation of renewable energy sources in port operations, the electrification of port equipment, the adoption of environmentally friendly practices in the operation of harbour boats, and the implementation of improved fuel monitoring systems, constituted a diverse array of projects. 

The IMO-Norway GreenVoyage2050 Project, spearheaded by the Malaysian Transport Ministry and Marine Department, strives to convene various stakeholders in Malaysia such as ship owners/operators, port authorities, academia, and technology providers. The objective is to expedite the implementation of the GreenVoyage2050 initiative. 

By actively engaging in the projects, Malaysia aspires to enhance its adherence to Marpol Annex VI regulations, foster the exchange of effective operating strategies, promote the adoption of energy-efficient technologies, and investigate potential avenues for utilising low- and zero-carbon fuels.   

The initiative is also in line with Malaysia’s commitment to the 2023 IMO GHG strategy, which aims to foster the long-term ecological sustainability of the maritime sector by delineating the future outlook for global shipping and setting ambitious goals for mitigating GHG emissions by 2050. – August 1, 2023.

* Dr Izyan Munirah Mohd Zaideen is senior lecturer at the Faculty of Maritime Studies, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.