A new consortium will explore options for developing a first maritime green corridor from Africa for the zero-emission shipping of iron ore between South Africa and Europe.
The consortium brings together mining group Anglo American, Tata Steel, shipowners and operators CMB and Vuka Marine, port company Freeport Saldanha and French utility Engie, convened by the Global Maritime Forum (GMF).
It will assess how zero-emission shipping on the corridor can unlock opportunities for South Africa’s sustainable development, looking at bunkering and offtake arrangements, green fuel supplies, and financial and business model alternatives.
South Africa has the highest volumes of maritime traffic in Africa outside of the Mediterranean region, as well as one of the best-connected port systems on the continent that support the trade of valuable commodities.
Anglo American’s Kumba mines produce high-quality iron ore and the company aims to achieve carbon neutrality for its controlled ocean freight by 2040.
Peter Whitcutt, chief executive of its marketing business, said cross-industry collaboration is the key to shaping a sustainable maritime industry.
“It is fantastic to see this powerful industry consortium come together around a new green corridor with one side in South Africa, particularly as it sends a clear signal of industry action as we go into negotiations at MEPC 80 in July,” said Johannah Christensen, chief executive of the GMF, a coalition of shipping interests pushing for lower emissions at the next meeting of the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee.
CMB has built various ship types that run on hydrogen and is building dry bulk vessels powered by ammonia.
“We hope that our track record in the development of green ships will contribute to the success of the consortium,” said Alexander Saverys, chief executive of the Belgian shipowner.
Tata Steel is committed to a zero-carbon shipping ambition, said Ranjan Sinha, chief of group shipping.
Vuka Marine is a joint venture between Via Maritime of South Africa and K Line of Japan that moves about 2.5m tonnes of ore per year.
Chairman Andrew Mthembu said the green corridor concept has the potential to accelerate solutions that can bring environmental priorities to the centre of route development.
