UK, US, Norway and Netherlands pledge on green corridorsUK, US, Norway and Netherlands pledge on green corridors

The agreement between the four nations aims to bring green shipping routes a step closer to reality and follows on from the Clydebank Declaration on green shipping corridors at COP26 last year.

As well as the agreement between the four nations at COP27 conference in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the UK and the US have specifically agreed to launch a special Green Shipping Corridor Task Force focussed on bringing together experts in the sector and driving research and development to make initiatives a reality as soon as possible.

“The challenges posed by climate change are clear and the need to decarbonise maritime has never been greater,” said UK Transport Secretary, Mark Harper.

“That’s why we’ve committed to work alongside global partners to clean up the sector, improve air quality in and around our ports and coastal communities, and drive green investment into our economy.

Ben Murray, CEO of Maritime UK, see green shipping corridors as an opportunity for the UK to demonstrate leader across different sectors in terms of decarbonization.

“Green Shipping Corridors have the potential to catalyse decarbonisation in the maritime sector by focusing on specific maritime routes,” he said.

“Not only can they help to identify and action the solutions needed for a given corridor by aligning vessels with infrastructure, but they can also demonstrate the UK’s leadership and pitch to the rest of the world as we all seek to accelerate our progress toward net zero. Be that finance, professional services, technology, or manufacturing.”

Related:Focus on green corridors and clean energy hubs for 2050 pathway

Agreeing on the importance of green shipping corridors UK Chamber of Shipping CEO Sarah Treseder, commented, “Green corridors can play an essential role in stimulating early action to adopt low and net-zero emission technologies and fuels. Today’s announcement is a welcome step in the international action required to decarbonise shipping.”