Supply Chain Digital Magazine April 2023 | Page 71

Global shipping bodies urge adoption of ‘ green lanes ’
A McKinsey report urges the global sea shipping industry to introduce green shipping lanes .
The report – called The Next Wave : Green Corridors – is a joint effort by The Getting to Zero Coalition – a partnership between the Global Maritime Forum , the Friends of Ocean action , and the World Economic Forum .
The report says that the technology to help shipping reach net zero by 2050 already exists , but that it needs to be deployed not only at far greater scale and speed , but also at lower cost .
It adds that one way to accelerate decarbonisation is to introduce ‘ green corridors ’ – specific trade routes between major port hubs where zero-emission solutions are supported .
Green corridors , says the report , would allow policy makers to create an “ enabling ecosystem with targeted regulatory measures , financial incentives , and safety regulations ”.
It adds that policy makers should also encourage the production of lower cost green-fuel , to help mobilise demand for green shipping .
It continues : “ Green corridors could create secondary effects that reduce shipping emissions on other routes .
“ These corridors would ideally be large enough to include all relevant value-chain actors , such as fuel producers , cargo owners , and regulatory authorities . They would send strong signals to vessel operators , shipyards , and engine manufacturers to ramp up investment in zero-emission shipping , making the risks more acceptable for all involved .” supplychaindigital . com 71