At a recent ceremony in Singapore, Bureau Veritas formally joined the Global Industry Alliance (GIA). The GIA aims to support improving the energy efficiency of ships and shipping by collectively identifying and developing innovative solutions to address common barriers and promote the uptake of energy efficiency technologies and operational measures.
Upon Bureau Veritas joining the GIA, three main streams of work have been set up, including legal, policy and institutional reforms aimed at supporting low-carbon shipping.
Philippe Donche-Gay, President Marine & Offshore, Bureau Veritas said that he was delighted BV was able to provide support to the GIA: “Whether it’s a better understanding of hull structures, digitalization, and hybrid systems or the many other areas of research and development that are leading to practical solutions, our Marine & Offshore Division – and the 70,000 Bureau Veritas people around the world (10,000 in China alone) – will be able to contribute towards this important initiative.”
The GIA was officially inaugurated on June 29th by IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim. The total number of companies have now risen to 15 and have signed up to join the GIA, which will work within a framework established by Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnership (GloMEEP) Project, a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Program (UNDP) — IMO project.
The GIA is focused on five priority areas of collaboration, including:
- Energy Efficiency Technologies (EETs) and Operational Best Practices
- Alternative Fuels and Energy Carriers
- Digital Transformation
- Finance
- Human Element
Activities likely to be undertaken or promoted by the GIA on these priorities will include, inter alia:
- Research and development
- Showcasing advances in technology development and positive initiatives by the maritime sector
- Industry fora to encourage a global industry dialogue
- Implementation of capacity building
- Information exchange activities
A GIA Task Force comprising of representatives of the members has been formed to act as the advisory body to the GIA and to take decisions on which activities to undertake under the GIA umbrella.
Selected GIA projects will be implemented by the GloMEEP Project Coordination Unit, with the advice of the GIA Task Force. Activities will be funded by a Fund (GIA Fund) established by IMO.
The GloMEEP Project aims to provide long-term global environmental benefits by supporting the effective implementation of IMO’s energy efficiency regulations (chapter 4 of MARPOL Annex VI), particularly in the developing countries.
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