The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in partnership with Iinternational Maritime Organization – (IMO) and Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) today held a green shipping conference to unlock opportunities in Africa.
Theme: “Unlocking Opportunities for Green Shipping in Africa”
As the most cost-effective and fuel-efficient way to transport goods, maritime transport is
the backbone of world trade and globalization. All year round, ships carry cargoes to all corners of the globe.
World trade and maritime transport are fundamental to sustaining economic growth
and spreading prosperity throughout the world. Shipping will continue to grow with the anticipated increase in world trade. Improved access to basic materials, goods and products is expected to lift millions of people. Out of poverty and, thereby, contribute to achieving SDGs 1 and 2. In a welcome address, Thomas Alonsi, Director General of Ghana Maritime Authority, stated that the objective of this conference is to throw light on the future of Green Shipping in Africa and examine ways African countries can contribute to IMO negotiations on regulations.
Furthermore, Mr. Alonsi did indicate that the conference will also discuss the Global Green Transition as well as opportunities and benefits for Africa based on IMO’s agenda of seizing opportunities for Developing Countries in the provision of “Zero-Carbon Fuels” for global shipping. ” I am convinced that this conference will provide the much-needed roadmap towards the use of cleaner fuels for shipping in Africa,” Mr. Alonsi emphasised.
“I have no doubt that it will serve as a great opportunity to turn uncertainty into confidence and to encourage countries and all actors in the shipping value chain to come forward with concrete policies and proposals that will help put the shipping sector on a pathway to align with the goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees,” he added.
“It will also offer us the opportunity to deliberate on the prospects of green shipping in the African context and the potential to unlock renewable energy and infrastructure investments in developing countries,” he emphasised.
Delivering a speech at the two- day conference, Kitack Lim, Secretay General of International Maritime Organization (IMO), indicated that as the global regulator for shipping, IMO continues to ensure that the maritime sector delivers cargo safely, securely and sustainably around the world, with continuous improvements in efficiency.
“As we continue on shipping’s journey towards sustainability, shipping must embrace decarbonization, alongside digitalization and innovative technology including automation all the while ensuring the human element is kept front and centre of the technological transition,” Mr. Lim said.
“I Know that decarbonization presents challenges for many developing countries.
At IMO, we are committed to examining and addressing the impact of the measures we adopt to achieve this end,” he stressed.
“With this in mind, we are also committed to supporting Member States to unlock the potential that green shipping presents,” he assured.
“I am confident that African countries stand in a prime position to unlock this potential,” Mr. Lim added.
Touching on capacity Building activities, IMO’s Secretary General, disclosed that his outfit is in tandem, working to support Member States in their implementation of these measures to ensure that no one is left behind in the transition towards a decarbonized future for shipping, taking into account the outcome of the impact assessment to be carried out.
Speaking as the guest of honour at the conference, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Ghana’s Minister for Transport, pointed out that In Africa, Green transition is gaining traction as several African countries have recognized the potential of a green economy.
According to Mr. Asiamah, all the fifty-four (54) African countries have signed the Paris Agreement and the Agenda 2063 of the African Union Development Goals envisages green economies in Africa.
Prior to the official pronouncement to declare the conference duly opened, Mr. Asiamah mentioned that the call for stronger international shipping regulations and policies to achieve climate and health targets by jointly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution couldn’t have come at an opportune time than now.
Speaking further, Mr. Asiamah indicated that there is an urgent need to apply measures that will facilitate shipping transitions and reduce emissions particularly, regulatory interventions to encourage the production of alternative low-and zero-carbon fuels for shipping and the related necessary expansion of renewable energy production as well as support first movers.
He seize the opportunity to commend the Secretary-General of IMO and the entire Secretariat for the immense work undertaken towards the industry’s contribution to the global fight against climate change, in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13.
The Green shipping conference, the first of its kind in Africa, was attended by dignitaries from varied backgrounds in the shipping industry in particular as well the transportation industry in general, Also in attendace were Ambassadors, and Parliamentarians amongst hosts of other stakeholders in the transportation industry who had travelled from far and wide.
By Kingsley Asiedu
ghanavoice 