The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) have signed a two-year partnership to speed up shipping’s energy transition by improving port readiness for alternative fuels.
The agreement was announced at the IAPH 2025 World Ports Conference in Kobe, Japan.
The partnership combines GCMD’s work on pilot projects and safety procedures with IAPH’s global network of more than 200 ports in over 85 countries. Together, they will focus on developing port infrastructure, advancing alternative fuel bunkering, and supporting new regulations.
Ports are seen as key to cutting shipping emissions, as they provide local expertise to manage navigational risks, work with regulators, and support safe fuel trials.
GCMD is developing safety guidelines and operating procedures for activities such as ammonia bunkering and liquid CO₂ offloading, sharing its findings to help ports prepare for future fuel use.
IAPH’s Clean Marine Fuels Working Group has created tools to support safe and efficient bunkering.
Working with GCMD, it will update these tools and develop new ones to help ports, shipowners, and operators handle low- and zero-carbon fuels safely and effectively.
