EC to provide $11m for IMO Maritime Technology Cooperation Centers

Five International Maritime Organization technology centers in the Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Latin America and Pacific regions funded by the European Commission will encourage the uptake of innovative energy-efficiency technologies in marine shipping.    The European Commission said it will provide €10 million (U.S. $10.8 million) to fund the establishment of a global network of “Maritime Technology Cooperation Centers” (MTCCs) by the International Maritime Organization.
   “The aim of the project will be to help beneficiary countries limit and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their shipping sectors through technical assistance and capacity building,” IMO said in a statement. “It will encourage the uptake of innovative energy-efficiency technologies among a large number of users through the widespread dissemination of technical information and know-how. This will heighten the impact of technology transfer.”
   The four-year project will target five regions – Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific. These have been targeted for their significant number of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDSs).
   An MTCC will be established in each region and promote “the uptake of low-carbon technologies and operations in maritime transport.”