Singapore and IMO launch NextGEN Connect for decarbonisation

The launch was held during the IMO-Singapore Future of Shipping Conference: Decarbonisation on 6 April.

Under NextGEN Connect, industry and academia will be invited to propose methodologies to jointly develop, on a pilot basis, route-based action plans to reduce GHG emissions between specific points along a shipping route in the Asia-Pacific region. These proposals can be submitted via nextgen.imo.org/challenge.

The NextGEN Connect Challenge is the next phase of the NextGEN initiative (“GEN” stands for “Green and Efficient Navigation”). Launched in September 2021, the NextGEN database (nextgen.imo.org/) currently lists more than 150 decarbonisation projects with more than 500 stakeholders worldwide, including IMO Member States, shipowners, technology developers, classification societies and non-governmental organisations.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, said, “I am pleased to welcome the launch of the next stage of the NextGEN project. The transition to a decarbonized maritime sector cuts across all aspects of shipping – from the supply and use of fuels to safety matters, port operations and training of seafarers. The trials on use of new technologies and zero-carbon maritime fuels will support a safe shift, and we must ensure a just and equitable transition that recognizes the need for skills and technology development in developing countries. Collaboration, information sharing, and capacity-building are key to ensuring no one is left behind in the push for the decarbonization of the shipping sector.”

Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Singapore, S. Iswaran, said, “It is important for public and private stakeholders to work together in a collective and inclusive manner globally to accelerate the maritime sector’s transition towards a low-carbon future. NextGEN Connect serves as a collaborative platform that matches the challenges of sustainable shipping to diverse solution providers across borders and industries. The platform also shares innovative and successful projects that address common problems in shipping worldwide. In this way, no one is left behind on the access to creative sustainability solutions in achieving the goals of the Initial IMO GHG Strategy.”

IMO CARES

In addition to NextGEN Connect, the preparatory phase of the IMO Coordinated Actions to Reduce Emissions from Shipping (IMO CARES) Technical Cooperation Framework was also launched during the conference. This preparatory phase is financially supported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and will involve regional and global consultation workshops will be organized to help design the key elements and foundational framework of the global programme. Potential stakeholders include Governments, donors, maritime technology cooperation centres, decarbonization R&D centres, Global Industry Alliances and financial institutions.

Once fully designed IMO CARES will gather stakeholders and streamlines existing programmes to drive green technologies and their global deployment in developing regions.

IMO CARES is expected to be a long-term programme. It will support coordination to promote innovation, research and development collaboration, accelerate adoption of green technologies and facilitate their deployment in developing regions.

“IMO CARES will provide an excellent platform to promote inclusive innovation. Innovation is key to addressing many of the challenges that we face to reduce emissions from shipping. We look forward to the extensive consultations with interested partners from both the global north and global south. Both sides can gain significantly from this initiative by connecting R&D initiatives as well as demonstrating innovative technology solutions through such partnerships,” said Mr. Jose Matheickal, Chief, Department of Projects and Partnerships of IMO.

The IMO-Singapore Future of Shipping Conference: Decarbonisation was held in conjunction with Singapore Maritime Week 2022.