Japan, Singapore to establish green shipping corridor

By Julian Atchison on January 08, 2024

Six Japanese ports, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to collaborate

Map of Japan’s major ports. The Ports of Kawasaki, Kobe, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo and Tokohama will collaborate with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to establish a green shipping corridor between the two countries. Source: IKKI Sake Knowledge.
Click to learn more. Map of Japan’s major ports. The Ports of Kawasaki, Kobe, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo and Tokohama will collaborate with MPA Singapore to establish a green shipping corridor between the two countries. Source: IKKI Sake Knowledge.

As part of the new agreement, a “Green and Digital Shipping Corridor” will be established between the two countries. MPA and the six Japanese ports will embark on pilot projects and trials for alternative maritime fuels, including ammonia. The two countries will work together to develop the required bunkering infrastructure, regulatory standards and training to implement alternative maritime fuels. Decarbonisation of port infrastructure is also included.

The six Japanese ports are already engaged in various initiatives under the Japanese government’s “Carbon Neutral Port” plan:

• Port of Kawasaki plans to transform into an industrial complex by 2050, in terms of establishing itself as a carbon neutral energy hub and building a carbon recycling industrial complex.
• Port of Kobe released its Carbon Neutral Port Formation Plan in February 2023, which creates a greenhouse gas reduction plan and hydrogen demand potential.
• Port of Nagoya released its “Carbon Neutral Port (CNP) Creation Plan of Nagoya Port” in March 2023, which aimed to achieve a carbon-neutral port by 2050.
• Port of Osaka released its Osaka “Minato” Carbon Neutral Port Formulation Plan in 2022, which includes the status of greenhouse gas emissions and measures to achieve its carbon-neutral target by 2050.
• Port of Tokyo’s Carbon Neutral Implementation Plan released in March 2023, defines specific initiatives and roadmap for upgrading port and harbour functions towards its carbon-neutral target by 2050.
• Port of Yokohama is working to become a Carbon Neutral Port by 2050 by decarbonising port functions, as well as implement the low-cost import of alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.

Port initiatives towards carbon neutrality, detailed in Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s official press release, 16 Dec 2023

The Port of Yokohama will be home to NYK Line’s A-Tug demonstration, with the ammonia-fueled vessel due to hit the water in 2024. On the digitalisation front, the two countries will identify and implement digital solutions to streamline port clearance processes.