Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Shell subsidiary Shell Marine Products Singapore have signed an initial agreement to partner on alternative maritime solutions and carbon emissions.
The initial agreement was signed by representatives from both companies, a press release from MOL said on 8 September.
Shell Marine Products Singapore, which is a fuel supplier, and MOL — a shipping company — are likely to partner on strategic policy issues and will also explore the effectiveness of alternative marine fuels in the context of carbon markets, the press release said.
The collaboration is likely to lead to trials exploring the effective use of bio-based and synthetic marine fuel options.
"Choices of marine fuel will require a strategic decision, then the collaboration with experienced and reliable partners is essential," Kazuhiro Takahashi, executive officer at MOL, said.
"We will focus on joint studies in understanding the impact from different regulatory environments as well as exploring possible pathways for the successful decarbonisation of the shipping industry," Melissa Williams, president of Shell Marine, added.
MOL is the first company in the Japanese ocean shipping industry to set a target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. MOL has positioned its environmental strategy as one of the key strategies in its Blue Action 2035 management plan.