Maritime
MTCC Directors
Global maritime technology cooperation centre network officially launched
A global network of centres of excellence in marine technology was officially launched on Monday ( 4 December ) at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization ( IMO ).
The Directors of five regional Maritime Technology Cooperation Centres ( MTCCs ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the global maritime technology centre network .
The network of MTCCS - in Africa , Asia , the Caribbean , Latin America and the Pacific - is the mainstay of the GMN maritime technology project , run by IMO and funded by the European Union . The MTCCs are expected to provide leadership in promoting ship energy-efficiency technologies and operations , and the reduction of harmful emissions from ships . Through collaboration and outreach activities at regional level , the MTCCs will help countries develop national maritime energy-efficiency policies and measures , promote the uptake of lowcarbon technologies and operations in maritime transport and establish voluntary pilot data-collection and reporting systems .
Speaking at the signing , IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim offered his congratulations to all five MTCC representatives , MTCC host institutions , host countries and regions , the European Union , and the IMO Team for the rapid progress made in forming the GMN since the project was first mooted two years ago .
“ The GMN project brings together two of the most important themes that IMO and its member states are pursuing as we move into a new era . These are developing new and innovative technology and building the necessary capacity , the latter especially directed to the developing world , to be in a position to take up that technology and then use it to its best advantage ,” Mr . Lim said .
“ Today , we live in a world in which new technology seems poised to have a transforming impact on all our lives . Shipping is no exception . Technology holds the key to a safer and more sustainable future for shipping ,” he said .
The GMN project supports IMO ’ s work in meeting three key UN Sustainable
Representatives from the MTCCS Credits imo . org – Flickr
Credits imo . org – Flickr
“ The GMN project brings together two of the most important themes that IMO and its member states are pursuing as we move into a new era . These are developing new and innovative technology and building the necessary capacity , the latter especially directed to the developing world , to be in a position to take up that technology and then use it to its best advantage ." - IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim .
Development Goals : SDG 13 , which includes a commitment to combat climate change and its impacts ; SDG 7 , which commits to ensuring access to affordable , reliable , sustainable and modern energy for all ; and SDG 9 on industry , innovation and infrastructure . The GMN project promotes international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology , in particular energy-efficiency and advanced , cleaner fossil-fuel technology , and fosters investment in energy infrastructure and clean-energy technology .
Following the signing ceremony , MTCC Directors and other representatives from the MTCCS , as well as from the European Union and IMO are meeting in the project steering committee .
On 7 December , the first meeting of the Global Stakeholders Committee will be held . The Global Stakeholders Committee brings together technical experts to share ideas and provide long-term strategic guidance to the project . Participation in the stakeholder committee is on a voluntary basis and no fees are paid . The five MTCCS are :
• MTCC-Africa – hosted by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology ,
Mombasa , Kenya
• MTCC-Asia – hosted by Shanghai Maritime University , China
• MTCC-Caribbean – hosted by University of Trinidad and Tobago , Trinidad and Tobago
• MTCC-Latin America – hosted by International Maritime University of Panama , Panama
• MTCC-Pacific – hosted by Pacific Community , Suva , Fiji The following signed the MoU : Dr . Robert Kiplimo , Director , ( MTCC-Africa ); Prof . Jin Yongxing , Director , MTCC-Asia ; Ms Vivian Rambarath-Parasram , Director , MTCC-Caribbean ; Mr . Eladio Peñaloza , Head , MTCC-Latin America ; and Mr . Thierry Nervale , Director , MTCC- Pacific .
Also present at the signing ceremony was Ms Magda Kopczynska , Director , Directorate- General for Mobility and Transport ( DG MOVE ) of the European Commission . http :// gmn . imo . org /
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