Canada and the UAE have become the first countries to back the Clean Energy Marine Hubs Initiative, which aims to coordinate and connect decarbonisation efforts between ports, shipping companies and the energy sector.

The initiative was launched today at the Clean Energy Ministerial meeting, a gathering of 29 energy ministers from leading governments, by shipowner group the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), seaport trade association the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and the CEO-led Clean Energy Maritime Taskforce. More than 150 CEOs and government representatives voted to take forward plans for the initiative’s creation at an ICS summit in June this year.

“Resolving the energy transition challenge for shipping and the wider world requires broad-looking, multi-sector solutions. Ports have a vital role to play, not only as bunker infrastructure providers but as new energy hubs in order for the economics around zero-emissions fuels to work,” says Patrick Verhoeven, IAPH managing director.

“Securing the backing of national governments, like that of Canada and the UAE today, will help kickstart collaboration between energy producers and the entire maritime value chain in getting those first hubs established.”

“We need to target our activities towards the transition of the whole zero-emission fuels market” Platten, ICS

“To be successful we need to target our activities towards the transition of the whole zero-emission fuels market. The Clean Energy Marine Hubs Initiative will not only support the global clean energy transition but will propel the development of the zero-emissions infrastructure that we can all benefit from,” adds Guy Platten, ICS secretary general.

The taskforce will work with the governments of Canada, the UAE and other countries  to bring forward a “tangible workplan” for the next Clean Energy Ministerial meeting “that will ensure that the tremendous opportunities of zero-emission fuels can be fully realised, produced at-scale and safely delivered for all”, Platten continues.

The ICS recently called for greater clarity around emissions regulations for the sector, with chair Emanuele Grimaldi noting that, while technical challenges remain around the adoption of clean fuels, “hydrogen and ammonia will play big roles in shipping”.

Early movers in hydrogen

Canada and the UAE have both taken steps to establish their positions as hydrogen exporters, particularly to Europe. Both countries have this year signed memorandums of understanding with Germany to supply low-carbon hydrogen.

The UAE announced its 2050 net-zero target, under which hydrogen and ammonia is expected to play a key role, ahead of Cop26 last year. The country targets a 25pc share of key hydrogen markets in Europe and Asia.

“Currently, the expansion of the UAE’s hydrogen economy is in process, with mega projects involving several of our leading ports,” says Nawal Alhanaee, director of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure’s future energy department. She highlights a 2GW green hydrogen-to-ammonia project in the Khalifa industrial zone of Abu Dhabi, announced by national energy company Taqa and Abu Dhabi Ports in July 2021. The project plans to process green hydrogen to liquid ammonia for use as bunker fuel and for export.

“This, coupled with other endeavours by our ports, will reinforce the UAE’s position as a key competitive maritime hub. Therefore, we are looking forward to our collaboration with all international governments, such as Canada, to reinforce the adoption of hydrogen technologies and fuels.”

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Author: Polly Martin