11 July 2023 (Lloyd's List) - CHINA is planning to launch a national ship energy efficiency management centre in Shanghai by 2024, amid increased pressure to decarbonise the sector.

The facility is designed to guide and supervise the decarbonisation efforts of the country’s shipping industry, according to a senior maritime authority official.

It will help shipping companies in China and vessels flying the Chinese flag to comply with international rules on emission reduction, Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration head of pollution prevention and dangerous cargo supervision Xie Xin, said during Shanghai’s DSH International Shipping Innovation Conference.

China’s Ministry of Transport and Shanghai MSA have deemed the establishment of the centre a key task this year. The centre is expected to be established between the end of this year and the first half of next year, Xie told Lloyd’s List during the conference.

Xie explained that the centre will create a ship energy consumption database, which will provide statistics for emission supervision and assist in the formulation of policies related to emissions reduction.

“The centre will strengthen supervision and verify the authenticity of ship emissions data,” Xie said, noting accurate data is the foundation of everything.

Another task for the centre is to assist the Ministry of Transport in managing the energy efficiency of China-flagged vessels, including inland and nearshore ships, to meet the decarbonisation checkpoints and targets agreed upon by the international community.

Last week, countries at the Marine Environment Protection Committee climate summit agreed on reaching net zero by or around 2050, including indicative checkpoints of reducing emissions by at least 20%, striving for 30%, by 2030, and at least 70%, striving for 80%, by 2040.

“The revision of strategy is of strategic importance for companies in the shipping sector,” Xie emphasised.

Xie added that the centre will also guide maritime authorities at different levels throughout the nation on ship energy efficiency regulation and management, including policy-making, as well as its implementation.

Last November, China’s Maritime Safety Administration authorised Shanghai MSA to be in charge of ship energy consumption statistics, analysis, and verification, as well as the implementation of carbon intensity management for China-flagged international ships.