On Thursday, October 19th, the Port of Oakland and the Port of Yokohama announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work towards decarbonization of the maritime shipping industry. This cooperation demonstrates a global aim in fighting the sector's environmental impact. The announcement came at the Port Decarbonization & Green Shipping Corridor Symposium.
The signing of the MOU further strengthens California and Japan's shared supply chain's commitment with implementing green technologies. As per the press release from the Port of Oakland, the MOU will enable the sharing of best green practices along with exploring renewable power generation, microgrids, and battery-electric storage systems.
The signing is greatly significant as Yokohama and Oakland have been sister ports since 1980. This symbiotic relationship allowed them working closely, forging the way to improve the maritime shipping industry's sustainability. Both ports being respectively significant to global trade, their commitment to sustainable practices plays a key role in battling climate change.
However, the drive for decarbonization isn't only seen in the Port of Oakland. Within California, the State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) partners with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism as well. Both are actively responding to the rising concern of a rapidly warming planet, as mentioned in their press release.
These actions to curtail greenhouse gas emissions tie into global sustainability initiatives in various sectors. In May 2023, the United Nations Shipping Summit centered on establishing achievable goals to reduce shipping emissions. Collaboration across agencies and industries was deemed necessary for this goal's success.
Despite setting ambitious climate goals and the necessity of international co-operation, the challenge remains in translating these targets into actions. The Ports of Oakland and Yokohama set an example by implementing this MOU, encouraging young professions to pursue research in low-carbon and zero emissions cargo handling equipment among other things.
