MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China Waterborne Transport Research Institute to jointly promote decarbonisation and sustainable shipping.

The three-year agreement, which was signed on 28 September 2021, aims to explore innovative ways to jointly cooperate on relevant research and activities and discuss progress to find a range of solutions that will make the maritime transportation industry even more efficient.

“The path to decarbonisation will require strong partnerships with key stakeholders across various business sectors and government,” said Budd Barr, Executive Vice President of Maritime Policy and Government Affairs at the MSC Group. “We are very excited to announce our partnership with the China Waterborne Transport Research Institute on this hugely important global priority.

“Sustainability and focus on climate issues have been fast rising up the agenda in China, and we are looking forward to closely collaborating with the China Waterborne Transport Research Institute to accelerate innovation and research and development (R&D) we urgently need to reach a net-zero carbon future for shipping.”

Under the framework of the MoU, both parties will establish a collaborative process dedicated to R&D, knowledge sharing and business collaboration. Industrial experts will also soon be invited to conduct assessments on the results of the research studies.

Decarbonisation is at the top of MSC’s agenda, as it demonstrates in its recent activity, also signing an MoU with the Shell International Petroleum Company (Shell) to help accelerate the decarbonisation of the global shipping sector.

Originally announced in July 2021, this long-term agreement will see both companies play “enhanced roles” in the energy transformation of shipping, as developers and early adopters of innovative technologies and fuel solutions.