The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has today released a new report exploring the safety considerations for establishing green corridors, providing a detailed safety checklist to help guide ship owner and port authority decisions.
View the findings of the study by clicking here.
The MTF’s study facilitates information sharing by creating a 24-point safety checklist
spotlighting vessel and port, collaborative and technical considerations in the planning and assessment of green corridors. Based on the findings of the study, MTF has outlined the following recommendations:
- Arrange early planning for safety assessments
- Conduct a risk assessment of port operations and bunkering
- Use available standards to ease future port acceptance
- Understand the risk to third parties in port
- Share information and emergency plans with intermediate states
- Develop and implement a safety management system (SMS) for alternative fuel.
Commenting on the guidelines and recommendations, Alf Tore Sørheim, Acting Director General of Shipping and Navigation at the Norwegian Maritime Authority said:
“There are many barriers to consider regarding the formation of green corridors, and safety must be at the forefront of these discussions. We should ensure that all stakeholders have access to our findings and a voice in the process so we can collectively address the challenges at hand.”
Additional comments on the report were provided by Tan Hoe Soon, Assistant Chief
Executive (Corporate & Strategy) for the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore saying:
“The establishment of Green and Digital Shipping Corridors (GDSCs) with like-minded partners is a key enabler to accelerate the early adoption of alternative fuels. MTF’s study can support the on-going work that port authorities are already undertaking, such as through the Port Authorities Roundtable on sharing the experiences that can inform the development of national standards and guidelines by the respective countries.”
About MTF
- MTF is a forum of Flag States and Classification Societies, established to provide technical and regulatory expertise to benefit the maritime industry.
- The role of the Forum is to work together on research that it publishes to the maritime industry and draw on regulatory expertise to be able to offer unbiased advice to the shipping sector.
- It seeks to give guidance on the use of alternative fuels and increased levels of automation in the industry. Furthermore, it allows for the safe testing and adoption of new technologies and it helps shape world-leading regulation.
- The Flag State administrations include Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan; the Norwegian Maritime Authority; the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, United Kingdom; and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The Classification Society members are ABS, DNV, LR and ClassNK.