CEM Hubs aim to accelerate the deployment of infrastructure, and to de-risk the investment needed to ensure that the world can have access to low-carbon fuels
19 April 2023, London: The Clean Energy Marine Hubs (CEM Hubs) Initiative has been awarded the GREEN4SEA Initiative Award yesterday. The award recognises any organisation or association that sparked, realised, or significantly contributed with a specific initiative towards greener shipping.
The CEM Hubs initiative, which is co-led by a taskforce of CEOs, is a unique partnership between the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), intends to accelerate the production, transport and use of low-carbon fuels that will be transported by shipping for the world.
The CEM Hubs initiative is a first of its kind cross-sectoral public-private platform that was officially proposed at the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) in Pittsburgh, USA, in September 2022. The initiative has already gained the support of the governments of UAE, Canada, Norway, Uruguay and Panama, and continues to build momentum.
In January 2023, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) also welcomed the initiative at its 13th Assembly in Abu Dhabi, and continues to expand its collaboration with ICS and partners in the shipping sector to further strengthen the CEM Hubs initiative and accelerate the use of renewables-based fuels in the shipping and other end-use sectors.
The initiative has now been formally adopted by CEM and will be formally launched as a CEM initiative at the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial in India in July, 2023. A work programme is currently being finalised, to be rolled out following the launch.
Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, accepted the award on behalf of the taskforce, and said:
“It is a great honour to be accepting the award for the Clean Energy Marine Hubs initiative which so many people have been working hard to set up and make a success”.
“The CEM Hubs aim to accelerate the deployment of infrastructure, and to de-risk the investment needed to ensure that the world can have access to low-carbon fuels, with production of new fuels close to the ports for the maritime sector to transport and ultimately use.”
“The CEM Hubs Initiatve help the shipping sector fulfil its key role in this global energy transition - to transport the new green fuels needed to decarbonise such as bioenergy and hydrogen. They also push governments to improve policy and strategies that focus on supporting import and export transport infrastructure that is essential to making decarbonisation a reality.”
Guy Platten concluded:
“I would like to also highlight that every nominee for the GREEN4SEA initiative award is doing fantastic work, from training seafarers for the uncertain future ahead, working to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint, and much, much more. It is only by all of us working together, playing our parts, that we can shape a positive future for the shipping industry and our workforce. Thank you again to you all.”
Also shortlisted for the award was Blue Visby Solution, for its efforts to eradicate the ‘’Sail Fast, Then Wait” (SFTW) operational practice; the Maritime Just Transition Task Force, for supporting social dialogue and stakeholder engagement to address climate change; the Port of Rotterdam, for making mandatory the use of a bunker measuring system; and the Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance, for establishing a common, global baseline for climate alignment of marine insurance.
Notes to editors
About ICS
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for merchant shipowners and operators, representing all sectors and trades and over 80% of the world merchant fleet - www.ics-shipping.org.
About IAPH
Founded in 1955, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) has developed into a global alliance of 169 port authorities as well as 134 port-related businesses. Comprised of 87 different nationalities across the world’s continents, member ports handle approximately one third of the world’s sea-borne trade and well over 60% of the world container traffic. IAPH leads global port industry initiatives on decarbonization and energy transition, risk and resilience management, and accelerating digitalization in the maritime transport chain. Its World Ports Sustainability Program has grown into the reference database of best practices of ports applying the UN Sustainable Development Goals and integrating them into their businesses - www.iaphworldports.org.
About the Clean Energy Ministerial
The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) is a high-level global forum to promote policies and programmes that advance clean energy technology, to share lessons learned and best practices, and to encourage the transition to a global clean energy economy. Initiatives are based on areas of common interest among participating governments and other stakeholders. The CEM brings together a community of the world’s largest and leading countries, companies and international experts to achieve one mission –accelerate clean energy transitions - www.cleanenergyministerial.org.