MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Shell International Petroleum Company Limited (Shell) have decided to collaborate closely to help the global shipping sector decarbonize faster. As inventors and early users of innovative technologies and fuel solutions, the long-term memorandum of understanding will enable MSC and Shell to play expanded roles in the energy revolution of shipping.
The firms want to create a variety of safe, sustainable, and competitive solutions that will help to cut emissions from existing assets and enable a zero-emission future for shipping.
Bud Darr, EVP Maritime Policy and Government Affairs, MSC Group, said: “MSC’s efforts to decarbonize include strong partnerships with a range of companies across the industry. This partnership with Shell is a great example of the type of commitment needed to catalyze low-carbon solutions for the shipping sector.
“To reach that ultimate goal of complete decarbonization, we must look at a set of solutions. We need significant advances in research and development and fuel development. MSC welcomes partnerships like this with Shell that are designed to facilitate cross-sector information sharing and prove how collaboration is key in defining the best pathway to a net-zero future,” said Mr. Darr.
Melissa Williams, President, Shell Marine, said: “Shell wants to play a central role in the transition to net-zero. Partnering with our customers to develop new technologies and fuels will help accelerate progress. Combining MSC’s experience as one of the world’s largest shipping companies with Shell’s expertise as a global energy supplier will help bring about effective solutions for this vital part of the world economy.”
Shell and MSC have collaborated on several projects over the last decade, including bunkering biofuels and investigating very ultra-low sulphur fuels.
To contribute to a zero-carbon Flexi-fuel concept vessel, MSC and Shell technical and commercial teams will develop and deploy net-zero solutions such as future zero-emission fuels and the technology that will enable them, including fuel cells. They’ll also collaborate on energy-saving technology, such as digital platforms and services.
