Green Shipping Conference in Belize Boosts Decarbonization Efforts in the Caribbean

A green shipping conference held in Belize City, Belize, on July 10-11, has significantly advanced the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) efforts to support Caribbean countries in decarbonizing their maritime sector. The event brought together more than 80 maritime stakeholders from 18 Caribbean countries and territories to discuss the implementation of the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships (2023 IMO GHG Strategy).

Key Topics Discussed

Participants explored various challenges and opportunities related to the decarbonization of the maritime transport sector for Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Key points of discussion included:

• Regulatory Frameworks: How to develop and implement regulatory frameworks that support greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction in maritime operations.
• Impacts and Needs: Assessing the impacts of IMO GHG reduction measures on the Caribbean and addressing the special needs of the maritime sector in the region.
• Alternative Fuels and Technologies: Exploring alternative fuels and energy-efficient technologies to reduce emissions.
• National Action Plans (NAPs): Developing NAPs tailored for the Caribbean region to guide decarbonization efforts.
• Maritime Training: Highlighting the importance of IMO’s maritime training institutes, such as the World Maritime University (WMU) and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), and other educational institutions.
• Regional Cooperation: Promoting cooperation between the maritime, port, climate, and environmental sectors to support resilient port infrastructure, improve port efficiency, and foster development opportunities.

Highlights and Outcomes

Participants shared case studies and success stories from their countries and engaged in networking opportunities with regional experts and stakeholders. A presentation by the Belize national chapter of the IMO-established Women in Maritime Association Caribbean (WiMAC) was also featured.

The conference concluded with an exchange of views on how Caribbean SIDS could participate in the energy transition in international shipping. Discussions focused on creating an enabling environment for the production and bunkering of zero or near-zero GHG emission fuels, mainstreaming IMO regulations into national legislation, and addressing technology and infrastructure gaps.

The importance of regional collaboration, a just and equitable transition, and continued capacity-building and technological cooperation were emphasized to ensure the successful decarbonization of the maritime transport sector in the Caribbean.

Follow-up Workshop

Following the conference, a one-day national workshop was held on July 12 to support Belize in the continuing development of its National Action Plan through the GreenVoyage2050 project. Participants discussed the vision and possible actions to be included in the NAPs and presented the initial rapid assessment results of the sector to all stakeholders.

Organizers

The conference was organized by the IMO, through its Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistic and E-Governance of Belize and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The event underscored the critical role of regional collaboration and the need for sustained efforts to decarbonize the maritime sector, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for the Caribbean.