Global Memorandum of Understanding on Multi-Port Multi-Jurisdiction Green Shipping Corridors

The signatories of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), hereinafter referred to as the "Participants",

Desiring to accelerate the establishment of international green shipping corridors and broader decarbonization of the marine sector;

Recognizing that, under the Paris Agreement, accelerated action is required to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels;

Taking into account the 2023 International Maritime Organization (IMO) Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships (Draft Resolution MEPC. 80), which recognizes that the aforementioned temperature targets would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change, and aims to reach net-zero GHG emissions by or around 2050;

Recognizing that green shipping corridors with zero-emission fuels and technologies along maritime trade routes between two (or more) ports, help accelerate adoption of low carbon fuels in the maritime industry and lead to a reduction in GHG emissions;

Recognizing that the marine sector is critical to the movement of the clean energy commodities for the global energy transition, with approximately 50% of clean fuels being transported by the marine sector by 2050;

Taking into account that international shipping enables between 80% and 90% of global trade and that without intervention, GHG emissions associated with the shipping sector are projected to grow by between 50% and 250% by 2050;

Recognizing that in the coming decade, a rapid uptake of clean maritime fuels, zero-emission vessels, alternative propulsion systems and the global availability of supporting infrastructure, will be imperative for the transition to clean shipping and reducing the impacts of climate change, particularly on least developed countries and small island developing states;

Recognizing that the transition to clean shipping requires system-wide collaboration between ambitious governments and leaders from the private sector, and a strategy to map out multi-stakeholder synergies;

Believing that concerted efforts will demonstrate that maritime decarbonization is possible, while unlocking new business opportunities and socioeconomic benefits for communities across the globe;

Have reached the following understanding:

1. Overall ambition

(a) The Participants share the common goal to support the establishment of an international, multi-port multi-jurisdiction green shipping corridor that extends from Canada, including Prince Rupert, Vancouver and Edmonton, to key ports in Asia and the Middle East.
(b) The Participants collectively aim to scale up activity in the following years and establish at least six (6) green corridors by the middle of this decade, by increasing the number of green corridors in operation, establishing more or longer routes, and increasing the number of ships using these routes by 2030.
(c) In supporting the establishment of green corridors, the Participants recognize that fully decarbonized fuels or propulsion technologies should not add GHGs to the global system through their lifecycle, including production, transport or consumption.
(d) The Participants also intend to begin assessing progress towards these goals by the middle of this decade.

2. Application of this MOU

2.1 The Participants plan to meet annually on a mutually decided date to discuss progress and share successes and barriers, including current and potential actions to support the ambitions described in Paragraph 1 of this MOU.
2.2 Each Participant that has not already done so plans to develop a multi-year marine decarbonization action plan that will extend to 2030 and beyond, and which may include planning for green corridors, support for increased research, development, and use of zero-emission technologies and investments, promoting adoption of energy efficiency measures, and developing targeted actions. The Participants commit to annually reporting on progress on their respective action plans.
2.3 Through green shipping corridor projects of a shared or domestic maritime route, the Participants plan to facilitate the establishment of new, strategic partnerships, with voluntary participation from port authorities, ship operators, ship owners, renewable energy developers, and others along the international shipping value chain.
2.4 When establishing green shipping corridors, the Participants will work to ensure that wider consideration is given to environmental impacts and sustainability, including marine conservation and building on existing measures related to the reduction of pollution from ships under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

3. Additional dispositions

3.1 This MOU becomes effective for each Participant upon signature.
3.2 This MOU is not legally binding. In addition, application of the ambitions stated in this MOU is within the discretion of each Participant and is not conditioned upon reciprocal actions by other Participants.
3.3 Each Participant intends to conduct any cooperative activities under this MOU in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and policies to which it is subject.
3.4 Each Participant may discontinue participation in this MOU at any time by providing six (6) months' advance written notice to the other Participants.
3.5 This MOU may be modified by mutual written decision of all Participants.
3.6 Additional Participants may join this MOU after its announcement at the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) upon invitation of all existing Participants.

Signed and open for signature, at ____________, on this ____ day of ____________, ____, in the English and French languages, each version being equally valid.

For [country]:

Name:
Title:
Date:
Location:

Sub-national government and industry endorsement

As representatives of sub-national governments, businesses, and other organizations with influence over the domestic and global shipping industry, we fully endorse the ambition of the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Multi-Port Multi-Jurisdiction Green Shipping Corridors (MOU) to establish an international, multi-port multi-jurisdiction green shipping corridor that extends from Canada, including Prince Rupert, Vancouver and Edmonton, to key ports in Asia and the Middle East.

The MOU aligns its Participants around a joint ambition on this multi-port multi-jurisdiction green shipping corridor, and to scale up activity in subsequent years to establish at least six (6) green corridors by the middle of this decade, by creating more or longer routes and increasing the number of ships using these routes by 2030.

We endorse the MOU as part of the broader efforts to put the shipping industry on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050. We will work with the MOU Participants to overcome strategic, political, and technical barriers, in an effort to reduce, with the goal of phasing them out as soon as possible, GHG emissions from international shipping. We will commit to increasing investments to produce economies of scale, enabling a faster, more cost-effective transition for industry. Recognizing that more efforts are needed in emerging markets and lower income countries, we will strive to work with these countries to enable them to realize the ambitions contained within the MOU.

We will contribute to this transition in the following ways:

As sub-national governments, we will strive to convert our owned or leased ships to zero emission vessels in line with the MOU ambition, as well as putting in place policies and regulations in accordance with our jurisdictional powers to enable, accelerate, or otherwise incentivize the transition to zero or low-carbon solutions as soon as possible.
As vessel manufacturers and suppliers, we aspire to address decarbonization at all phases of shipbuilding to minimize GHG emissions, and recognize that innovation and utilization of new technologies is key to production of commercially available ocean-going vessels.
As ship owners and operators, we aim towards maximizing energy efficiency and waste reduction, and increase the use of clean fuels.
As port authorities and shipping companies, we will support an accelerated transition to developing zero-emission solutions for port operations. We recognize the importance of shore power, the availability of alternative fuels and refuelling infrastructure, incentives and other solutions to enable this transition. We will work together with industry and government partners to proactively integrate other elements of sustainability, such as waste management, marine mammal protection and addressing barriers to port sustainability.
As rail companies, we will take action to decarbonize our operations and move a diversity of goods by rail, providing a unique value proposition to importers and exporters, who can highlight their efforts to drive down emissions from their entire supply chain.
As renewable energy developers and utilities, we will strive to produce and make available, sufficient and price-competitive low-carbon and zero-emissions marine fuel and clean power.
As investors with significant shareholdings in the shipping industry, we support an accelerated transition to zero-emission shipping in line with the MOU ambition. We will proactively engage and escalate these issues with investees, while encouraging all our holdings to finance complete vessel retrofits and new carbon-zero vessels, investing in clean port, and in efficient, safe and reliable supplies of renewable fuels.
As importers and exporters, we are committed to driving down emissions from across the entire supply chain.
As other signatories, we support an accelerated transition to a net-zero shipping industry in line with the ambitions contained within the MOU.

Endorsed by [sub-national government or industry]: