Singapore and Brazil are stepping up cooperation on cleaner shipping, with both countries looking to develop alternative marine fuel supply chains and support the wider decarbonisation of international shipping.

The two countries have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the Singapore-Brazil Green and Digital Shipping Corridor, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said in an announcement on Friday.

The agreement will bring together Brazil's renewable energy resources and Singapore's position as the world's largest bunkering port and a major global hub port. Brazil is a major producer of ethanol and biodiesel and has been developing projects to produce green fuels such as green methanol and biofuels for marine use, while Singapore has been building up its supply of low- and zero-carbon bunker fuels, including methanol and biofuel bunkering operations.

Green and digital shipping corridors have become a widely used tool in the effort to decarbonise international shipping, which accounts for close to 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Such corridors typically pair ports and沿线 industry players to pool expertise, coordinate fuel supply and demand, and pilot digital and emissions-reduction solutions along specific trade routes. Singapore has signed similar corridor agreements with other partners, including Australia, Japan, the Netherlands and the United States, as part of the Maritime Singapore Decarbonisation Blueprint.

The partnership will also cover digital information exchanges aimed at improving maritime and port operations, an area where both ports have been adopting electronic documentation and just-in-time ship arrival systems to cut waiting times and emissions at anchor.

In addition, Singapore and Brazil will work with industry on the research, development and adoption of emerging maritime technologies and solutions.

Source: Ship & Bunker