bp becomes strategic partner for GCMD

bp said on Tuesday it has joined the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) in Singapore, as a strategic partner to help drive decarbonisation of the maritime industry.

“bp has helped shape the shipping industry for more than 100 years. A net zero future for the maritime sector demands industry collaboration,” said Carol Howle, bp’s executive vice president for trading & shipping.

“GCMD is bringing to the forefront the conversations that matter most,” added Howle.

Based in Singapore, GCMD was set up as a non-profit organisation in August 2021 to help the maritime industry meet or exceed the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) GHG emission reduction goals for 2030 and 2050.

bp said they have been supporting zero carbon supply chains by driving new decarbonisation technologies such as safe development of hydrogen, ammonia, biofuel, and carbon market. 

“Aligning with the GCMD on these projects provides a strategic fit,” the company said in a statement without giving further details.

The company added that Lambros Klaoudatos, bp’s senior vice president of shipping, will sit on GCMD’s board.

The new partnership follows bp’s already established ties with the Global Maritime Forum (GMF), Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) in Europe and the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition in the US.

This partnership also comes after bp has shown it is interested to explore renewables in Asia; with its recent announcement to create an offshore wind development opportunity in Japan.