The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), and the Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to jointly support the development of capabilities in carbon accounting amongst maritime companies in Singapore.
2. The MoU was signed by Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of MPA, Michael Phoon, Executive Director of SSA, and Esther Chang, Executive Director of GCNS, at a virtual ceremony.
3. Under the MoU, the three parties will cooperate in the following areas:
i) Training: Conduct training courses on carbon reporting, monitoring and management for local maritime companies affiliated with SSA.
ii) Support and Recognition: Support local maritime companies in their journey to track and monitor their carbon emissions, and to recognise companies in their emissions reduction.
iii) Sharing of Best Practices: Develop a guide on maritime sector carbon reporting.
4. The first run of the training courses will start in the first week of October. In addition to learning best practices in emissions management and reduction, trainees from participating companies will experience using the Carbon and Emissions Reporting Tool (CERT) as a starting point to measure and monitor their emissions. Developed by GCNS with input from the National Environment Agency, CERT is designed to simplify the process of recording emissions data.
5. Quah shared, “A collective effort is key to helping the local maritime industry achieve their decarbonisation goals. MPA is pleased to partner with GCNS to tap on its expertise on corporate sustainability, as well as to tap on the industry know-how and network of SSA in this critical endeavour to help maritime companies transit to a more sustainable future.”
6. Phoon said, “As a key maritime stakeholder, SSA can contribute to the IMO 2050 decarbonisation goals by steering our members and the shipping community to undertake carbon accounting, and embrace efforts towards reducing carbon footprint. We hope this collaboration with MPA and GCNS will enable the shipping industry to do our part towards decarbonisation.”
7. Chang added, “Decarbonisation has become a global imperative for countries and businesses alike. As a key engine of Singapore's economy, the maritime industry has great potential to steer actions and progress on decarbonisation. GCNS is delighted to partner with MPA and SSA to help companies chart their paths towards a low-carbon future.”
8. Through an MoU signed in 2017, MPA partnered GCNS to provide maritime companies with training on sustainability reporting. The MoU was extended in 2020 till 2023 to promote carbon management and awareness amongst maritime companies.
