UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and rating agency “DNV”
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced a partnership to establish the UAE Maritime Sector Carbon Reduction Centre, the first of its kind in the MENA region and the fourth in the world, in a pioneering step that strengthens the UAE’s position as a global center of excellence for sustainable development and transformation of the energy sector.
Developed in partnership with Det Norske Veritas DNV, this pioneering initiative is a milestone for the UAE and the wider MENA region, and will set a new benchmark for ocean carbon removal efforts around the world.
The center aims to leverage the UAE’s strategic location and its prominent position in the maritime sector, as well as DNV’s extensive experience, to foster research, innovation and collaboration among stakeholders, with the aim of accelerating the adoption of sustainable practices, technologies and policies in the maritime sector.
Suhail bin Mohammad Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: “The UAE leads in several indicators of international competitiveness in the maritime sector, ranking third in the world in terms of bunker supply for ships, fifth in the world in the best maritime centers and twelfth in the shipping lanes index, thanks to the competitive business environment offered by the country, which helps attract major global shipping lines and makes the country’s ports a preferred destination for international shipping companies.”
The minister added: “The establishment of the UAE Maritime Sector Carbon Reduction Center reflects our strong commitment to limit climate change and promote sustainable practices in the maritime sector. By partnering with DNV, we aim to benefit from their extensive experience and global network to drive innovation and accelerate the adoption of carbon removal technologies. In addition to supporting global efforts to combat climate change, the Center will play a key role in promoting sustainable development goals at national and regional levels.”
The launch of the UAE Maritime Sector Carbon Reduction Center underscores the country’s strong commitment to working towards ambitious goals in the area of sustainable development in line with the UAE’s Climate Neutral Strategy 2050; by spearheading efforts to decarbonise the oceans, the country aims to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, surpassing global targets and strengthening its global leadership in the fight against climate change.
The center will be a pioneering platform for the research, development and application of innovative technologies and strategies to reduce CO2 emissions in the maritime sector. The center will also implement joint industrial projects, incubator and accelerator programs, and initiatives to support and refine future capabilities and talent. The center will provide funding opportunities, enhance collaboration among stakeholders in the industry and fulfill its role as a knowledge hub by disseminating information, data and research in its field of work.
Knut Orbeck-Nielsen, CEO of DNV Maritime, confirmed that the partnership is in line with the commitment to drive sustainable transformation in the maritime sector, as the center will provide an excellent platform to accelerate the development and deployment of carbon removal technologies, noting that by working with stakeholders in the sector, research institutions and academia, innovation can be fostered and best practices adopted to make the maritime sector a more sustainable and efficient one, thereby enhancing the UAE’s attractiveness, global standing and competitiveness in the maritime sector.
The move is in line with the UAE’s ongoing preparations to host the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP28), which will highlight its commitment to sustainable development and transformation of the global energy sector. During the conference, the UAE Maritime Sector Carbon Reduction Center will play an important role in enhancing the country’s global position as a hub for sustainable innovation and global collaboration.
Eng. Hessa Al Malik, Adviser to the Minister of Maritime and Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, said that the Ministry seeks to unify the maritime sector and create the UAE Maritime Cluster as a force that increases opportunities for business growth and helps to enhance the capabilities and capabilities of businesses by bringing them together under one umbrella, noting that digital technology is the best way to build this cluster, unify information in the maritime sector and develop innovative mechanisms to explore business opportunities.
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Al Malik added that the center will serve as an important platform for research, collaboration and knowledge transfer in the field of ocean carbon removal, noting that the focus is on developing and implementing sustainable solutions through partnerships and strategic initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency in ocean operations.
The partnership between the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and DNV includes a number of outstanding projects and initiatives initiated by the Ministry, including the UAE Maritime Cluster Initiative and the Maritime Network, which aims to create a global network of professionals and experts to enhance the competitiveness of the UAE maritime sector and market it globally, as well as benefit from the presence of international maritime companies in the UAE.