The “Xinde Marine Forum London 2024 – Innovation and Cooperation for the Sustainable Future of Shipping” was held on September 20 in London, gathering over 120 senior executives, experts, and government representatives from China, the UK, and Europe. The key focus? The future of global shipping, with sustainability and innovation taking center stage.
Organized by Xinde Marine News and supported by key players such as the China Shipowners’ Association, COSCO SHIPPING UK, and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the event fostered dialogue on how international collaboration can steer the industry toward greener shores. The discussions highlighted the importance of partnerships and technological advancements in addressing environmental challenges within the shipping industry.
A central theme of the forum was the growing collaboration between China and the UK, especially in sustainable development, innovation, and strategic cooperation. With four sessions—Uncertainty and New Opportunities, Shipping Finance and Investment, Innovation and Green Transformation, and Collaboration for Sustainability—the forum covered key issues like decarbonization, digital transformation, and financial investments that are reshaping global shipping.
Wang Gang, Chief Executive of COSCO SHIPPING UK, stressed the importance of collaboration in advancing sustainability within the sector. “At COSCO SHIPPING, we are committed to integrating social responsibility into our values, aligning with global trends in green, low-carbon, and smart shipping,” he noted. Wang further emphasized the company’s active role in driving digital innovation and low-carbon technologies across their operations, especially in the UK and Europe.
Nelson Mojarro, head of innovation at the ICS, pointed out the rise of new technologies driven by impending regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO). While alternative fuels are gaining momentum, especially in China, Mojarro acknowledged that linking fuel production to demand remains a challenge. “Collaboration will be key to further development,” he remarked.
Adding to the discussion, Andreas Enger, CEO of Hoegh Autoliners, highlighted the carbon footprint of deep-sea shipping, which accounts for up to 90% of the industry’s emissions. Enger suggested that while smaller vessels may adopt innovations like batteries over time, the priority should be on decarbonizing larger deep-sea vessels to have the most significant impact on reducing emissions globally.
Source： Wang Mingjie, China Daily
