A new consortium will explore the options for developing a maritime green corridor for the zero-emission shipping of iron ore between South Africa and Europe, the first initiative of this kind from Africa and said to be an important step in the region’s involvement in shipping’s decarbonisation.
Maritime green corridors – routes between major port hubs where zero-emission solutions are supported and demonstrated – have become recognised as one of the most important tools to aid industry and governments in the decarbonisation of the maritime sector. The consortium brings together Anglo American, Tata Steel, CMB, Vuka Marine, Freeport Saldanha, and Engie, convened by the Global Maritime Forum, to assess how zero-emission shipping on the corridor can unlock new opportunities for South Africa’s sustainable development and contribute to a just transition to a zero-emission maritime ecosystem.
This supply chain consortium of iron ore miners and shippers, the steel industry, ship owners, freeport operators, and energy suppliers will explore full-scope concepts for the South Africa-EU green corridor development. The work will look at bunkering and offtake arrangements, available green fuel supplies, and financial and business model alternatives. The consortium’s initiative to explore the development of the green corridor between South Africa and Europe builds on “Shipping’s Energy Transition: Strategic Opportunities in South Africa,” a report prepared by P4G and the Getting to Zero Coalition. The report identified promising opportunities for South Africa to establish itself as a key player in the global transition to renewable forms of energy and zero-emission shipping.
Situated along busy international shipping routes, South Africa has the highest volumes of maritime traffic in Africa outside of the Mediterranean region, as well as one of the best-connected port systems on the continent that support the trade of valuable commodities. The development of the green corridor could help drive forward South Africa’s decarbonisation ambitions and serve a range of wider national and international objectives.
As the IMO prepares to revise its strategy for decarbonisation at the upcoming MEPC 80 meeting, this consortium’s initiative to explore the development of the green corridor between South Africa and Europe is believed to be another demonstration that the industry is preparing for a rapid shift to zero-emission shipping that leaves no country behind.
Global Maritime Forum CEO Johannah Christensen said: “It is fantastic to see this powerful industry consortium come together around a new green corridor with one side in South Africa, particularly as it sends a clear signal of industry action as we go into negotiations at MEPC 80 in July. We hope this project will lay bare a viable shipping decarbonization pathway towards real-world implementation, generating sustainable growth and business opportunities for South Africa and the region, with synergies for other sectors of the economy.”
Peter Whitcutt, CEO Marketing business Anglo American said: “Cross-industry collaboration is the key to shaping a sustainable maritime industry. We are looking forward to joining other industry leaders in exploring pathways to zero-emission shipping of iron ore between South Africa, where our Kumba mines produce high-quality iron ore, and Europe, where many of our customers are located. An important step toward wider industry decarbonisation, this initiative also aligns with Anglo American’s ambition to reach carbon neutrality for our controlled ocean freight by 2040.”
Alexander Saverys, CEO CMB said: “CMB is proud to be part of the Green Corridor initiative between South Africa and Europe. CMB has already built various ship types that run on hydrogen and is building dry bulk vessels powered by ammonia. We hope that our track record in the development of green ships will contribute to the success of the consortium and accelerate the deployment of low carbon vessels on this important trade route.”.
Andrew Mthembu, Chairman Vuka Marine said: “Vuka Marine is committed to developing solutions that align shared priorities and shared values across the maritime value chain. The Green Corridor concept has the potential to accelerate solutions that can bring environmental priorities to the centre of route development.”.
Engie MD Flexible Generation and Retail, Africa, Jonathan Debasc, said: “Engie is eager to bring our global expertise and knowledge encompassing the entire hydrogen value chain to accelerate the establishment of the iron ore green corridor between South Africa and Europe. We are committed to building a carbon neutral world, and renewable hydrogen is key to decarbonizing hard-to-abate and energy intensive industries such as maritime transportation.”
