China and Malta join Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM-HUBS) initiative to drive forward production, export and import of low-carbon fuels across the world.
China (the first country in Asia to join the initiative) and Malta (the second European country to join the initiative following Greece in 2024) will bring unique expertise to the initiative to align the energy-maritime value chain and share best practices globally. Nine countries are now part of the initiative. The CEM-HUBS is co-led by the governments of Canada and the UAE, with active participation from Brazil, China, Greece, Malta, Norway, Panama and Uruguay.
Today, the Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM-HUBS) is pleased to welcome two new countries - China and Malta - to the cross-sectoral energy and maritime public-private initiative. This builds on the significant momentum the CEM-HUBS has developed over the past two years with now nine countries being part of the initiative. The CEM-HUBS is co-led by the governments of Canada and the UAE, with active participation from Brazil, Greece, Norway, Panama and Uruguay.
The CEM-HUBS aims to catalyse the supply of green fuels, de-risk investment and support the global energy transition by bringing together the energy and maritime sector policy makers and industry representatives. The initiative, which is co-led by a taskforce of CEOs, is a cross-sectoral public-private initiative aiming to provide essential tools for governments and industry to accelerate the production, export and import of low-carbon fuels across the world through energy hubs at ports.
China, as one of the world’s leading maritime nations and at the forefront of producing renewable energy, is the first country in Asia to join the initiative. China’s unique position in both the maritime and energy sectors will be key in offering expertise to align the energy-maritime value chain and to advance towards establishing Clean Energy Marine Hubs in different jurisdictions.
Malta, the second European country to join the initiative following Greece in 2024, as an island nation is key to the initiative and will bring valuable insights into the next steps of pushing the CEM-HUBS forward, particularly towards exploring a CEM-Hub in its strategic Mediterranean location. By joining this international coalition, Malta reaffirms its commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and fostering collaboration across the energy-maritime value chain.
Miriam Dalli, Minister of Environment, Energy, and Public Cleanliness, Malta, commented,
“We are pleased to join the Clean Energy Marine Hubs Initiative, a transformative step in uniting global efforts for a cleaner and more sustainable future. This collaboration will enable us to share best practices, align policies, and drive investments in low-carbon fuel infrastructure, ensuring Malta’s active role in the international energy-maritime transformation.”
Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, Malta, Chris Bonett stated:
“Joining the CEM-HUBS initiative further consolidates our commitment towards ensuring that we are at the forefront of innovating the maritime sector. This is an opportunity for our country to actively contribute to shaping the energy-maritime transition alongside key governments and industry leaders worldwide. Indeed, it is a crucial step towards building a more resilient and sustainable maritime sector for future generations.”
The next steps for the initiative will be working towards the Clean Energy Ministerial meeting (CEM-16) in Busan, South Korea, in August, later this year, where energy ministers will gather to discuss how the global infrastructure for renewable fuels can be established and the role of shipping and the maritime infrastructure as an enabler of the transition whilst considering shipping’s future fuels demand . Following CEM-16, work will progress towards COP30 that will be taking place in Belem, Brazil in November.
Esben Poulsson Co-Chair of the CEM-HUBS Steering Committee and Chair of the Private Sector Advisory Group of the Clean Energy Marine Hubs commented:
“Two new countries joining the CEM-HUBS is a powerful vote of confidence in the initiative. At a time when decarbonisation is at the top of leader’s agendas from across the world, now more than ever do we need to come together and align across the energy-maritime value chain to enable clean energy hubs at ports.”
“I look forward to working closely with all nine forward-looking countries on the next steps in this important cross-sectoral platform and to creating a global infrastructure for renewable fuels. It is great to see that the Governments of China and Malta recognise the important role shipping will play in the global path to decarbonisation.”
Jean-Francois Gagne, Head of CEM Secretariat commented:
“The CEM is very pleased to welcome China and Malta as the newest members of CEM-Hubs. In 2023, we launched this first-of-a-kind partnership between the energy and maritime sectors. Since then, the Initiative’s focus on building new transportation value chains has only grown in importance. This work is positioning the CEM and our partners to provide the infrastructure needed to produce, use and move Future Fuels at scale. We look forward to collaborating closely with colleagues in China and Malta and with the entire CEM-Hubs community on this important challenge.”
Notes to editors:
About CEM Hubs
The Clean Energy Marine Hubs initiative aims to de-risk and accelerate the production of low-carbon fuels at scale, for shipping to transport and use. Shipping will be a key enabler to transport these fuels for the world, supporting the wider energy transition to the world. The initiative was proposed by the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Association of Ports & Harbors under the banner of Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM). It is a is a first-of-its-kind, cross-sectoral public-private platform jointly led by an industry task force of CEOs and energy ministers - Clean Energy Marine Hubs | Clean Energy Ministerial.
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