Port authorities in Germany and Canada have become the latest maritime organisations to launch a green corridor as part of their decarbonisation efforts.
The Halifax Port Authority and Hamburg Port Authority said they are working to decarbonise the shipping corridor between Halifax, on Canada’s east coast, and Hamburg, along Germany’s northwest coast.
The focus of this collaboration is on port infrastructure for bunkering, and the exporting of green hydrogen and derivatives at both ports.
They also aim to foster collaboration between shipping lines and other interests to advance the use of green energy on the corridor.
The two port authorities said they would also work towards favourable conditions for decarbonisation, including lobbying for aligned regulatory measures, financial incentives, and safety regulations.
“We have a long relationship of cooperation and share a mutual drive and commitment toward sustainability and digitalisation,” said Captain Allan Gray, chief executive of the Halifax Port Authority
“It seems only natural that we continue to collaborate to decarbonise a significant trade route between our two ports.”
“The Halifax Port Authority and Hamburg Port Authority are demonstrating leadership in this sector,” said Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia.
“They are not waiting for the arrival of hydrogen to begin their operational changes. They are doing the work today.”
Canada and Germany initially outlined plans for a green corridor between the two countries in August this year during a meeting between Justin Trudeau and Olaf Scholz.
The agreement signed by Canada’s natural resources minister Jonathan Wilkinson and German vice-chancellor Robert Habeck involved a five-page declaration of interest in a net-zero fuel alliance.
