CCS and COSCO sign new decarbonisation agreement

(Posted on 22/06/21)

China Classification Society (CCS) and China COSCO Shipping Group Co. Ltd have signed a new agreement that will see the organisations work together to tackle the issue of greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector.

CCS vice-president Sun Feng and deputy general manager of COSCO Shipping Group Huang Xiaowen signed the framework agreement during a ceremony in Shanghai last month. It was witnessed by Mo Jianhui, president of CCS, Xu Lirong, chairman of COSCO Shipping Group; Sun Yunfei, deputy general manager of COSCO Shipping Group, and Meng Lingyi, general director of the CCS Shanghai Branch.

Under the terms of the agreement, CCS and COSCO Shipping Group will pool resources to support China’s efforts in the fight against climate change. The organisations will leverage China’s national "carbon peak, carbon neutral" development target, international efforts to reduce maritime transport emissions and the climate-neutral goals of the EU Green Deal to help guide research on energy consumption structure and the development of viable technological solutions.

Last September, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced bold plans to reduce the country’s emissions, committing China to strive for reaching “carbon peak” by 2030 and “carbon neutrality” by 2060.

CCS and COSCO Shipping Group have committed to working together to support the development of key core technologies, build an international cooperation platform, promote the establishment of industry standards and the formation of the International Maritime Organisation proposal, and use their combined expertise and experience to aid carbon emission reduction strategies within the shipping industry.

Mo Jianhui, president of CCS said: “The signing of this agreement will further deepen the strategic cooperative relationship between CCS and China COSCO Shipping Group, creating new and important opportunities to help support the implementation of major national strategies and China’s goal of achieving the ‘3060 double carbon’ target.

“A partnership working approach will enhance research efforts into key core technologies to support decarbonisation and carbon neutrality in the shipping industry, as well as helping us to promote the development of relevant standards and regulations.”

CCS is well placed to support technological advances and the adoption of clean energy resources by maritime and offshore sector firms, having increased investment in research and development linked to shipping decarbonisation over recent years. Its work has led to the publication of numerous rules and guidelines covering areas such as the use of natural gas as fuel, LNG bunkering pontoons, the surveying of battery powered ships, the evaluation and inspection of marine rigid wing surface sails, and the inspection of air lubrication drag reduction systems on ships.

Founded in 1956, China Classification Society (CCS) is headquartered in Beijing and is a full member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).