A virtual conference opened on 17 March to explore ways the shipping and maritime industry can help to mitigate the effects of climate change, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) reports. ‘Confex’ was organised by the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre for Africa (MTCC-Africa), which is part of a global network.
The event is open to private and public stakeholders in the maritime and shipping industry, and will focus on the ways in which technology can be adapted to promote greater energy efficiency in shipping.
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said: “By sharing experiences and promoting technologies and operations that can improve energy efficiency in the maritime sector, this conference and exhibition is another vital step in helping the region's shipping navigate towards a low-carbon future."
The conference is set to explore ‘just-in-time’ shipping. This is the adoption of a supply chain that moves goods just before they are required. It reduces the need to store materials at further locations, and streamlines the whole logistics process. The aim is to reduce storage costs and unnecessary journeys between suppliers and distributors.
Other issues to be discussed include the use of maritime informatics to more accurately track and predict supply chain demand, and encouraging greater collaboration between ports.
Meanwhile, IMO-Norway is launching the GreenVoyage2050 Project, which aims to ‘support the path to decarbonisation in the shipping sector.’ IMO member states have pledged to cut annual greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping by at least half by 2050, compared with their level in 2008.
The organisation is also working towards phasing out greenhouse gas emissions from shipping entirely within the 21st century. GreenVoyage2050 is reaching out to less developed nations to help them meet climate change and energy efficiency goals for international shipping, by sharing best practices and exploring low-and zero-carbon fuels.
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