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2023 Core Training Summary

The IMO-Republic of Korea Sustainable Maritime Transport Core Training Programme (GHG-SMART) was held online from 6 to 10 March 2023. 

The online, core training is the first key event under the annual programme, which supports the implementation of the IMO GHG Strategy by individual, custom-made support to SIDS and LDCs participants, by the following:

  • Core Training (online) covering key topics related to the implementation of the IMO GHG Strategy, with specific focus on the needs of SIDS and LDCs;
  • Development of individual Trainee Structured Training Plan (TSTPs);
  • Support of implementation of TSTPs;
  • Practical Training in Busan, Republic of Korea
  • Opportunity to submit applications to WMU relevant scholarship (with annual 1-1 participant awarded, following 50-50% gender equality).

The online, core training provided detailed information on main elements related to implementation of the IMO GHG Strategy, including:

Module 1 – International regulatory framework

Module 2 – Global Efforts, IMO GHG Strategy and related MARPOL Annex VI Regulations

Module 3 – Development of NAP and awareness on Impact Assessment

Module 4 – Shipping and Ports Decarbonization

Module 5 – Shipping and Ports Alternative Fuels

Module 6 – Introduction to Climate Finance and Maritime Decarbonisation

The group of trainers and speakers included: subject matter experts Dr. Zabi Bazari, Capt. Sukhjit Singh, Dr. Han-Seon Park, Ms. Sanjam Gupta, heads/representatives from the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centres (MTCCs) from Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Latin America Ms. Lydia Muthoni Ngugi, Mr. Stephan Nanan, Mr. Wei Ruan, Eng. Ervin Vargas Wilson, Eng. Javier Diaz, as well as technical officers from the IMO Marine Environment Division (MED) and a representative from the World Bank Mr. Andrew Losos.

The online training was attended by 24 participants from 15 countries (Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Guyana, Uganda, Belize, Cook Islands, Burkina Faso, Antigua and Barbuda, Somalia, Togo, St. Kitts and Nevis, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Tonga, Yemen) from the African, Caribbean, Latin America, Pacific and Western Asia regions. 

Participants came from a range of different stakeholders, including policy makers, public authorities and industry (shipping, ports and ship building). 

There is also a link provided between annual training programme participants, some of the first year’s trainees (2022 GHG SMART Training Programme) volunteered to share their experience and provide input into this year’s training programme, including on their own TSTPs and progress they have achieved since completing the programme. 

In addition, the field (practical) training held every year in person, takes place in the second half of the year in the Republic of Korea. This includes visits to the technology development and demonstration sites and major infrastructure facilities that support GHG reduction and energy efficiency.

This year’s field training is scheduled to take place in Busan, Republic of Korea, in the second half of the year (September 2023, TBC) hosted by Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority (KOMSA).

The planned in person practical training is foreseen to follow a similar structure (unless individual needs of participants suggest otherwise) as the practical training of 2022, which programme, including practical guide provided by host, KOMSA:

2022-Information-Pack-GHG-SMART-Practical-Training-and-Study-VisitDownload

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2023 Core Training Summary

March 11, 2023

The IMO-Republic of Korea Sustainable Maritime Transport Core Training Programme (GHG-SMART) was held online from 6 to 10 March 2023.  The online, core training is

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The Impact

The overall objective of the Programme is to support the implementation of the IMO GHG strategy by building sufficient capacity among the LDCs and SIDS to prepare for implementation the Strategy, first by building capacity for identifying ways to address the potential impacts of the measures contained in the Strategy and then by building capacity to develop a national action plan to implement these measures.

 

The GHG-SMART Programme delivers a series of carefully targeted training aimed at selected representatives of LDCs and SIDS who will take a lead in undertaking analysis of impacts and national strategy development related to maritime GHG emissions in the respective countries. Expected outcomes are it will help them to develop their knowledge and capacity to achieve the goals set out in the Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships and enhance the implementation within their countries.

 

The Programme has been strategically linked to the ongoing and proposed major projects implemented by IMO to achieve GHG emissions reduction. These include the Global MTTC Network (GMN) project, funded by the European Union, which unites Maritime Technologies Cooperation Centres (MTCCs) in targeted regions into a global network; and the GreenVoyage2050 Project , a partnership project between the Government of Norway and IMO, which is working with 12 pilot countries in different regions to meet climate change and energy efficiency goals related to international shipping. There is also cooperation with the World Maritime University (WMU) for technical input, and IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP).

 

The Programme aims to support at least 4 training year cycles, training at least 100 future climate change champions in maritime from SIDS and LDCs, providing them individual training, noting their specific needs, next to providing them with an overview of specific implementation of the IMO GHG Strategy.

 

Participants in the GHG-SMART programme will also be granted the opportunity to submit applications to WMU for a relevant scholarship. This will be awarded annually from the 2023 for two (2) participants, one male and one female in line with 50%-50% gender equality, who can further deepen their knowledge in this field.

The Solution

Against this background, the development of a Global Training Programme for Maritime GHG reduction to support the vision of a sustainable maritime sector for sustainable planet was proposed by the Republic of Korea (RoK) for the IMO Secretariat’s consideration and the agreement was established in October 2020.

 

Participants come from a range of different stakeholders, including policy makers, public authorities, and industry (shipping, ports and ship building). To maintain the effectiveness of the programme for the longer term, participants are carefully selected and their follow-up actions towards implementation of the policy and strategies are regularly monitored. The Programme is delivered as a series of one-week (5 days) training which consists of online training, delivery of a classroom training course, followed by technical site visits.

The Issue

The Initial IMO GHG Strategy envisages reducing the total annual GHG emissions from ships by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008, meaning a reduction in carbon intensity for individual ships and a move to new technologies and low/zero carbon fuels. The Initial Strategy also aims, with equal importance, at addressing potential impacts of the actions and measures on the Member States. A number of specific measures are under consideration to achieve the ambitious targets.

 

The strategy recognizes that there are potential barriers to achieving the targets and highlights the need for supportive measures, including capacity building, technical cooperation, technology transfer and research and development, particularly in developing countries with a focus on least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDs) since the impact could be uneven and disproportionate among States.

 

It is still argued, by the LDCs and SIDS, that the impact of measures in consideration has not been adequately addressed while the discussion on GHG reduction measures is being progressed at IMO. Supporting actions to address the impacts and for facilitating technology cooperation for transfer and uptake of energy efficient technologies are vital and urgent, since the gaps in technology and policies are considerable between developed countries and the LDCs and SIDS. Considerable efforts have been made by the IMO Secretariat to develop and provide technical cooperation projects and activities in the maritime environment sector.