Decarbonisation strategy needed to fulfil international obligations

SAMSA hosts workshop to address country’s decarbonisation agenda

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), together with the Department of Transport (DoT) hosted a roundtable last week to kickstart the development of a decarbonisation roadmap for the country.

The Ministerial roundtable on development of a Maritime Sector Decarbonisation Roadmap is South Africa’s response towards fulfilling its commitment to implement the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2023 Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships which includes ambitious goals of ensuring net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by 2050.

The revised IMO GHG Strategy, also includes a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030, as well as indicative checkpoints for 2030 and 2040.

The roundtable discussion was aimed at addressing concerns around the lack of a national strategy to achieve the targets of decarbonising shipping.

As a member of the IMO, South Africa has the responsibility to institute the decisions taken by the international organisation.

With participation from the DoT, SAMSA, the World Maritime University, shipowners and operators, Transnet National Ports Authority as well as experts from the mining, environmental, energy and training sectors – the roundtable focused on a number of strategic issues including:

Assessing the country’s strategic approach relative to its geographic location.
Noting the country’s potential to produce clean fuels based on its renewable energy resources.
The identification of possible green corridors.
The possibilities to leverage economic opportunities such clean fuels bunkering.

The roundtable discussions followed on a four-day executive professional development training course on Maritime Energy Management and Decarbonisation conducted by the World Maritime University.