The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has launched a video outlining how the Global MTCC Network (GMN) initiative is uniting technology centres – Maritime Technology Cooperation Centres (MTCCs) – in targeted regions into a global network.
Together, they are promoting technologies and operations to improve energy efficiency in the maritime sector.
As the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for safe, secure and environment-friendly shipping, the IMO will lead the European Union funded project to help shipping move into a new era of low-carbon operation.
Magda Kopczynska, Director, DG MOVE, European Commission, has described the project as “one of the building blocks that will help shipping becoming greener”.
The project has established five MTCCs in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific.
Acting as centres of excellence for their regions, the MTCCs will work with partners to develop technical cooperation, capacity building and technology transfer – sharing the results and their experiences throughout the network to ensure a common approach to a global issue.
The MTCCs will develop programmes and projects to promote energy-efficient technologies and operations.
Read a new Port Technology technical paper on how to reduce air emissions through public-private partnerships by Lisa Wunder, Marine Environmental Manager, Port of Los Angeles
Developing countries and, in particular, least developed countries and small island developing states, will be the main beneficiaries of the initiative.
For regions particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change, the project has presented a chance to get involved in promoting technologies and operations to improve energy efficiency in the maritime sector.
Vivian Rambarath-Parasram, Head of MTCC-Caribbean, commented: “When we saw this project, we saw it as an opportunity to build partnership throughout the region to mitigate, at least in the maritime sector, the impacts of climate change.”
The IMO has presented estimates stating that ships’ energy consumption and CO2 emissions could fall by up to 75% by applying operational measures and implementing existing technologies.
Nancy W. Karigithu, Principal Secretary Maritime and Shipping Affairs, Kenya, said: “We’re looking forward to building capacity for not just Kenya but for the African region in general – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to improve air quality in our port cities.”
