19
May
2026

WMU Contributes to Workshops Promoting Maritime Decarbonization in South-East Asia

The World Maritime University (WMU) provided technical expertise for two national workshops delivered under the IMO SMART-C GHG Project in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam (8-10 April) and in Cebu, Philippines (13-16 April), supporting regional efforts towards maritime decarbonization. The WMU team was led by Professor Aykut I. Ölcer, Head of Maritime Energy Management and Director of Research at WMU and included Dr Tuan Dong, Research Associate. They supported discussions on maritime GHG emissions data collection, National Action Plan (NAP) development, and alignment with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy.

The workshops, organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in partnership with national authorities, brought together representatives from government agencies, port authorities, shipping companies, academia, and maritime institutions to identify data gaps, strengthen stakeholder cooperation, and advance evidence-based approaches for reducing shipping emissions. The workshops also included technical field visits and discussions on establishing national emissions baselines to support future decarbonization strategies under the Republic of Korea-funded SMART-C GHG Project.

Workshops in both countries underscored the need for robust data systems and inclusive stakeholder engagement. They emphasized incorporating domestic shipping into data collection and National Action Plans, while promoting effective, evidence-based NAPs.

The SMART-C GHG Project, funded by the Republic of Korea, supports participating countries in building capacity to implement the IMO GHG Strategy and reduce emissions from international shipping.

More information about the workshop can be found on the IMO's website: https://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/pages/whatsnew-2447.aspx

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