SHANGHAI will launch a maritime decarbonisation centre next year to coordinate efforts on green fuels promotion, a government official said at this year’s China International Import Expo.

The new centre will integrate research, policy making, standards development, and green fuel trading, said Lin Yisong, a director at Shanghai’s Lingang area shipping department, at the event.

Inaugurated in 2019 as part of Shanghai’s free trade zone, the Lingang area is designed to streamline overseas investment and capital flows, enabling the free flow of goods. 

The new centre in Shanghai follows in the footsteps of the Singapore-based Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation. Singapore’s GCMD, with funding provided by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and six founding partners, was established in 2021, aiming to lead the maritime industry’s energy transition journey and similarly promote collaboration within the industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The centre in Shanghai will be China’s first such institution to focus on green methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia,” Lin said, highlighting that it will build the foundation for advancing green fuel standardisation and industrialisation in the country.

Shanghai launched a ‘Green Shipping Industry Alliance’ in Lingang in March, attracting over 34 members so far, including companies in shipping, bunkering, methanol production, classification societies, laboratories, and investment funds, Lin noted.

In July, Lingang, in collaboration with Chn Energy and Shanghai International Port Group, signed an MOU for a green energy transaction platform, to facilitate transactions for domestic and international participants. 

“But in addition to the platforms, we need an entity. That is why we are establishing the decarbonisation centre,” Lin told Lloyd’s List.

Shanghai has been enthusiastic about leading the transition to green shipping fuels. The local government recently unveiled a plan to provide a minimum of 1m tonnes of green fuels by 2030. This plan emphasises comprehensive efforts in securing green fuels supply, storage and bunkering facilities development and providing professional services, including certification, training, and consulting.

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