COP 27: Role of the Suez Canal in ensuring the sustainability of environmentally friendly global supply chains
ِAdmiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority ( SCA ) participated today, Friday, in the activities of a discussion session organized by the Authority in the Green Zone under the title “The Leading Role of the Suez Canal to Ensure the Sustainability of Environmentally Friendly Global Supply Chains” within the activities of the United Nations Climate Conference COP27, in the presence of a constellation of workers in the transport sector. Marine locally, regionally and globally, and representatives of the most prominent bodies, institutions, commercial and maritime companies and international shipping lines.
It includes Mr. Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping ( ISC ), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Head of Marine Environment at IMO, Mr. Morten Beau Christiansen, Vice President of A.P. Moller-Maersk for Carbon Decarbonization, and Mr. Georgios Bleifrax, Vice President of the Amercan Bureau of Shipping ( ABS ) for Sustainability.
The International Media Dialogue is moderated by Khaled Abu Bakr, the legal advisor to the Suez Canal Authority (SCA )
The activities of the discussion session began with the screening of a documentary film explaining the efforts of the Suez Canal Authority ( SCA ) in boosting green practices and moving towards green transformation
After that, the attendees listened to a recorded speech from Kitak Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization IMO, who began by thanking SCA for organizing this important discussion session and providing the opportunity to shed light on the vital role of the Suez Canal to ensure the sustainability of environmentally friendly supply chains, being one of the most important Institutions operating in the maritime field.
The Secretary-General of IMO Kitack Lim explained that achieving sustainability is at the forefront of the work agenda of the International Organization, in path with the rules and standards set by the United Nations that boost dependence on clean fuels and renewable energy sources, technology development and strengthening the processes that its stimulate
Kitack Lim stressed that the long-term strategy of the Suez Canal to transform into a green channel will play an important role in boosting the trend towards green transformation in the maritime transport industry, Pointing out the importance of the Suez Canal offering its successful experience and expertise to help reduce harmful carbon emissions.
On the other hand, ِAdmiral Osama Rabie,Chairman of the panel,emphsized the pivotal role played by the Suez Canal to ensure the stability of global supply chains, and its constant endeavor to maximize its role by adopting an initiative to declare the Suez Canal a “green channel” by 2030.
Rabea explained that the Suez Canal contributed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 31 million tons during 2021 compared to alternative paths, and saved fuel by about 10.3 million tons, and the new Suez Canal contributed to providing 53 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Chairman of SCA referred to the canal’s strategy, which puts the environmental dimension at the forefront of its priorities, which is the Egyptian state’s directions to achieve sustainable development through a clean, environmentally friendly economy, as well as the efforts of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reduce emissions from the shipping sector, and encourage the trend towards the use of clean, neutral fuels. carbon instead of fossil fuels
He added that the Suez Canal has taken many measures as part of its strategy to announce the Suez Canal as the Green Canal where SCA has already started developing 16 pilot stations along the waterway to work with hybrid energy using solar and wind energy instead of conventional energy.
The field of collection and recycling of solid and liquid wastes from ships transiting the Suez Canal.
Then, Jay Platten, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), spoke about the importance of concerted efforts of all concerned parties in the maritime transport industry to face the challenges facing the industry, most- notably environmental challenges,
Stressing that green initiatives are an essential step to achieve the desired goals and reach a better world, praising the authority’s efforts to enhance the trend towards sustainable, environmentally friendly policies, and for the Suez Canal to be a center for green maritime transport in the future
Arsenio Dominguez, Head of the Marine Environment Sector at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), stressed the need to support member states and cooperate in facing environmental challenges, pointing out that many recommendations will be taken towards reducing carbon emissions by the end of this year.
The head of the marine environment sector at the International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) explained that the organization has adopted its strategy aimed at reducing carbon emissions since 2018, which has been responded to by many organizations and institutions working in the marine field and other partners, referring in this regard to the cooperation that took place with the Egyptian state to enhance the use of Green practices and increased reliance on renewable energy.
Morten Bo Kristiansen, Vice President for Decarbonization, A.P. Moller Maersk Group, discussed Maersk’s global strategy to build green ships
The company is working on building 19 environmentally friendly ships between 2024 and 2025, saving 2 million tons of carbon emissions, and the first environmentally friendly ship is scheduled to cross the Suez Canal by next year 2023.
Christiansen pointed out to the fruitful colaboration between Maersk International, the Egyptian government and the Suez Canal Authority, which resulted in the signing of a memorandum of understanding to hold mega projects that turn Egypt into a center for green energy.
Georgios Bleifrax, Vice President of the American Bureau of Shipping ( ABS ) for Global Sustainability spoke about the interest of ABS Office and its undertaking to study the environmental impact of operating ships, in addition to conducting studies on new fuels in order to reduce the impact of carbon dioxide to move towards a clean marine industry, as well as a study the impact of the use of new technology on the human factor.
He pointed out that the many discussions presented by the American Bureau of Shipping ( ABS ) in this regard and the smart solutions it presents, especially the search for types of fuels and raising awareness of the importance of green practices and adopting environmentally friendly capabilities and operations.
